My Work
Celebrating Long Mynd (2007)
a site-specific dance film inspired by the beauty of the landscape. Collaboration with film-maker, Ann Pugh and the residents of the Long Mynd, Shropshire.
Zahhak (2006)
a duet for Medea Mahdavi and Bobak Walker based on Zahhak, a character from a tale by Firdausi. "The sacrifices we make to serve our taste buds." A collaboration between Iranian and b-boy dance, first performed at the University of Bath.
Dancing the Knife (2001-02)
the story of a woman refugee who meets a street theatre performer. The show explores encounters and feelings
experienced by refugees when they arrive in the UK. It weaves together dance, live music, digital images and text, commissioned from Philip Gross.
Dancing the Knife - two lives on the edge: a woman in the crowd, with a whole world of exile and dangers inside her, meets an unsettling juggler
on the streets of a city.
Fishermen (2000)
Performance inspired by a visit to the Caspian Sea in Iran and stories from Persian mythology. Medea narrated the story through dance and mime in collaboration with b-boy dance. Performed at WOMAD.
Can I dance, can I play? (1998-99)
Medea Mahdavi and jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard explored issues of artistic survival in "Can I dance, can I play?". Through almost a game of hide and seek, the performance examined the experience of artists under political repression. "Can I dance, can I play?" revealed the irrepressible desire to express freedom and joy that drive dance and music back into the light.
Doves (1996-97)
The reviewer said of the premiere: "We sat transfixed, spellbound, carried on a wave of rhythm and imagery: the magic of performance was honoured tonight." A multi-media collaboration with dance, sound sculpture, text and live music. Medea used each of the linked dances to portray a character inspired by stories by 12th century Persian poet Nizami. Through the symbolic power of the characters, Medea led the audience through the thoughts and actions of a contemporary entertainer.
Simorgh - The Phoenix (1995-96)
Inspired by the mythical bird Simorgh, Medea and fellow artists use dance, storytelling, live music and projected images to explore the theme of adoption. This show was premiered as part of the Mosaics season at the Lillian Baylis Theatre.
Celebratory cake by Teresa Thornhill
Tales of the Desert (1994-95)
This work reflects true-life stories of the plight of Kurdish people. A collaboration with a Bristol-based author, including live music.
Other dances
Dances inspired by Safavid era (16th to 18th centuries) in the British Museum.
TV appearances
Hairy Bikers (2010)
Inspired by Persian food, Medea cooks quince and pear dessert for this popular TV show.
Casualty (2009)
choreographer and background dancer in episode 11 of TV series Casualty.
Year of the Artist (2002)
a programme about Medea, as part of the nation-wide celebration of Year of the Artist.
Eat your Greens (1993)
with Sophie Grigson, cooking and dancing on vegetarian TV food series.
Celebrating arts in schools
Working in schools, museums and other public settings to celebrating multi-culturalism through collaborative projects using dance, storytelling and other arts (for example, "Walking with Water" and "The World in our Woods"). With these projects Medea took established artists into schools to collaborate with pupils to promote racial harmony and equal opportunities.
Collaborators
Medea has worked with a variety of actors, dancers, musicians, sculptors, composers, poets/playwrights, including: Saed Ahmadi, Nibras Al-Salman, Howard Coggins, Alan Coveney, Laura Cooper, Glen and Tony Eastman, Natasha Fewings, Simon Gore, Stuart Greaves, Ailsa Gudgeon, Robyn Friend, Philip Gross, Tim Garside, Hamava Ensemble, Ralph Hoyte, Hossein Iraji, Cyrus Khajavi, Sheena Marklew, Ibrahim Al-Manyawi, Will Menter, Salah Dawson Miller, Jess Nichols, Ann Pugh, James Reed, Owen Reynolds, Andy Sheppard, Barak Schmool, Rowland Spyer, Simon Preston, Teresa Thornhill, MJ Thornton, Bobak Walker, Bob Walton, Jo de Waal, Amir Jahed Vakilzadeh.