Echo: Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen
A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
Playwright Nassim Soleimanpour (above) and performer Ben Lawson weave a compelling, real-life story of upheaval
Take a real-life story and drop into it an actor, entertainment personality or media figure and ask them to play along without any rehearsal (in other words, a cold read).
That is the conceit at the heart of Echo, written by the most performed playwright in Iranian theatre, Nassim Soleimanpour (White Rabbit, Red Rabbit and NASSIM).
It features seven different “performers” over seven shows, each with their own response to the material.
In the Malthouse Theatre is only one of the chosen seven on any given night or day (there is one Saturday matinee).
In Berlin, which he now calls home, is the writer on a live stream talking to the performer.
On the night I saw it, that was film and TV actor Ben Lawson in his first stage performance in 19 years.
Nassim begins with a friendly chat with Lawson, before asking him a few questions, including what he values and where he has travelled.
Lawson is also told what to do and say via an earpiece.
Nassim introduces us to his wife, Shirin and dog, Echo.
On the walls of their home are photos of their loved ones, including his parents, in-laws and friends.
And so it is that Nassim gives us his back story, telling us about his upbringing with an older brother.
His father was imprisoned both before and after the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
It is a country with a decidedly chequered history, conflict-rife, where people simply disappear.
Reflecting his heritage, Nassim speaks about the meaning and worth of a Persian carpet – the more stepped on, the higher valued it is.
In fact, the stage has been set up to reflect a microcosm of Nassim’s home, including his actual Persian rug, a desk and laptop.
Echo is about migration, time travel and connection with others, and how that affects one’s decision making.
Nassim, who acknowledges what a difficult place to visit Iran is for anyone now, was effectively forced to flee his native homeland.
That is a key component of this offering and the performer is instructed to step into Nassim’s shoes.
Lawson relayed Nassim’s story with feeling. His ability to live in the moment was impressive. So, too, not just the natural timbre in his voice, but his vocal modulation and pausing.
The set includes two large video screens and a smaller square screen, which play imagery to reflect the unfolding tale, complete with evocative sound.
Creative technology, video and production design are by Derek Richards, lighting by Jackie Shemesh and composition and sound design by Anna Clock.
Against the backdrop of loving one’s country and one’s home, the impact of Nassim’s decision to leave Iran continues to resonate throughout the 90-minute running time.
With dramaturgy by Immanuel Bartz and Kirsty Housley, Echo reflects fear and fallout, loss, remorse and longing.
It is living history, as the past, present and future intersect, ever new stories are being written and new friendships created.
Nassim Soleimanpour has a beautiful way of phrasing his sentences – while grounded in reality, with a fine attention to detail, also poetic and philosophical.
So it is that against turmoil and upheaval, he remains wedded to hope, as for Nassim it is written in the stars … in the celestial heavens.
Director Omar Elerian ensures that is woven into the engaging byplay, a synergy of truth, tech and storytelling.
Echo is on at Merlyn Theatre, at Malthouse Theatre, until 19th July, 2025.
