My Brother’s Keeper

About the show:

Storytellers and founders of the Mezrab Storytelling School, Raphael Rodan (IL) and Sahand Sahebdivani (IR), have joined forces for their most personal and urgent work to date, exploring the origins of polarisation and the power of (their) chosen brotherhood: My Brother’s Keeper.

Why would a brother turn against his own kind? This question lies at the heart of the brand-new production My Brother’s Keeper, inspired by the story of the first fratricide. Through a blend of storytelling and (musical) theatre, Rodan and Sahebdivani trace their own history and recognise Cain and Abel within each other.

Armenian singer Meri Kartashyan (known for her work with the Shushiki Band, amongst others), her cousin, the duduk virtuoso Grigor Kartashyan, and percussionist Sjahin During bring to life the story of a heartbeat through the spellbinding melodies of the Armenian tradition.

With enchanting live music from the duduk, percussion and vocals, My Brother’s Keeper weaves together myth and memory, humour and heartache in a raw, intimate performance that blends storytelling, ritual and concert.

Bios:

Raphael Rodan is an award-winning theatre director and storyteller who has been living in the Netherlands since 2012. He studied at the School of Speech and Drama in Harduf, Israel, and at the Actors’ Temple in London. In Israel, he worked as a theatre director with young Arab and Jewish actors, using theatre as a bridge for communication.

Sahand Sahebdivani is the best-known storyteller in the Netherlands. In 2004, he founded the Mezrab, which went on to become one of the world’s leading storytelling venues. Sahand came to the Netherlands as a refugee from the Iran-Iraq War at the age of three. His and his family’s experiences form the basis of his work. This year, Sahand delivered the Anton de Kom Lecture.

Titus Tiel Groenestege has for the past 25 years mainly been known as a director. His field of work covers theatre, cabaret, storytelling, slapstick, music theatre, bands, classical orchestras, dance and physical theatre. Originally an actor, he finished Utrecht Theatre School in 1981 and in the same year won a comedy festival with his stage partner Bavo Galama. In 1990 he became a duo with Han Römer and they made several semi-philosophical shows. In 1998 he started working with Ria Marks under the umbrella of Orkater (= Orchestra & Theatre) They created highly acclaimed and successful productions without dialogue that were played all over the world.

Mary Aygetsy grew up in Armenia. Her passion for traditional music led her to form the Shushiki band, a trio that performs internationally. In addition to her performances, Mary enjoys conducting choirs, sharing her love for Armenian music and culture.

Sjahin During is an Afro-Anatolian percussionist with Turkish–Dutch roots who blends South Indian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Balkan, Afro-Cuban, jazz, and improvisational traditions on a self-designed hybrid percussion setup.

Grigor Kartashyan is a renowned Armenian woodwind musician celebrated for his virtuosity in traditional Armenian instruments, particularly the blul, duduk, pku, zurna and Armenian bagpipe.

Credits:

Performance and script: Raphael Rodan & Sahand Sahebdivani
Flute/woodwind: Grigor Kartashyan
Vocals/harmonium: Mary Aygetsy
Percussion: Sjahin During
Direction + decor: Titus Tiel Groenestege
Light design: Micha Meijer
Technical operator: Samuel Hopkins
Producer: Zarah Ruwhof
Marketing: Nina den Hollander
Special thanks:
Renske Ebbers
Kimia Hadian
Dúlio Duarte
Ramses van den Hurk
Fabian Huijts
Thomas Nicoll
Mees de Graaf