The Manganiyar
Seduction
by Roysten Abel
(India)
Melbourne Premiere
“The effect is like that of a gospel Mass
or a slow-building rave: a joyous,
communal experience of the seductive
power of music.” Irish Independent (Ireland)
Carrillo Gantner AO
Melbourne Festival President
Performed in Marwadi and Sindhi
At last Melbourne enjoys an
Conceived, Arranged & Directed by
event acclaimed around the
Roysten Abel
world: The Manganiyar Seduction, Produced by Can & Abel Theatres
a fusion of the timeless intensity Conductor Deu Khan
of traditional Rajasthani
“Ecstatic and exuberant.
musicianship with dazzling stage
An exceptional piece of concert
design, creating what is one
staging.” London Evening Standard (UK)
of the highlights of this year’s
Event Information
Festival program.
A darkened stage comes slowly to life; a
conductor gestures and lights flare, as
curtain-lined boxes stacked upon the
stage are illuminated, revealing whiterobed musicians who begin a hypnotic
Eastern melody. The languid refrain slowly
builds, as more boxes blaze to life, and
more musicians – dozens more, 42 in all,
singing and playing lutes, percussion and
reed instruments – join an increasingly
frenzied symphony. This is The Manganiyar
Seduction: a unique confluence of traditional
Rajasthani music and striking theatre
design, united by the hand of inventive
Indian director Roysten Abel.
A desert people who for generations have been
professional musicians and storytellers, the
Manganiyars in bygone days performed for
the Rajasthani kings of India. A centuries-old
musical tradition runs in the veins of these
Muslim minstrels, their songs conjuring
the timeless sounds of the desert, spanning
ballads of kings and conquerors, mystic Sufi
poems, celebrations of birth and death.
Roysten Abel has now brought this musical
seduction to the world, albeit with an
inspired theatrical twist: framing the
intoxicating melodic performance within
a set design inspired by Amsterdam’s
infamous red light district.
the Arts Centre, State Theatre
Thu 6 – Sat 8 Oct at 7.30pm
Sun 9 Oct at 5pm
1hr 20min no interval
Premium $97.50
A Reserve Full $75
A Reserve Groups (8+) $67.50
A Reserve Concession $56.25
B Reserve Full $60
B Reserve Concession $45
C Reserve Full $42
C Reserve Concession $31.50
Student (B & C Reserve) $25
Transaction & booking fees may apply
Save up to 20%. See page 73 for details.
the Arts Centre 1300 182 183
theartscentre.com.au
Ticketmaster 1300 723 038
melbournefestival.com.au
This year’s Festival presents outdoor
amazements, remarkable exhibitions,
a genre-spanning music program, and
theatre and dance from China, India,
Indonesia, Europe and the Americas.
With a remarkably broad program to
choose from, it’s well worth your time to
step outside the realm of the usual and
expected, and try something different.
I’d like to thank the Victorian
government, our largest partner, who
have generously supported the Festival
for the last 25 years.
The City of Melbourne also plays an
important role in the Festival, and
we look forward to developing more
opportunities to help the City realise its
social, cultural and community goals.
And thanks to our principal sponsor,
Foxtel, first amongst many corporations
and individuals who join in helping to
present this feast of great art for the
people of Melbourne and Victoria.
Come October, give yourself a treat –
follow your nose, take a chance, explore,
enjoy. That’s what I’ll be doing.
Supported by Indian Council of Cultural Relations
Image Daniel Boud
Major Cultural Partner
Carrillo
Supported by
The mesmerising rhythms of these mystic
performers have earned spontaneous
standing ovations around the globe, uniting
audiences in rapturous appreciation of a
spectacular musicianship that transcends
all boundaries.
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Melbourne Festival is an opportunity
to celebrate your curiosity; it’s a great
chance to explore something new,
to take full advantage of a unique
collection of outstanding art selected
from around the world.
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