NOSTOS
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nostos was an incredibly powerful and moving performance. As Iranians living abroad, the story resonated with us on a very personal level. It beautifully captured the emotions of displacement, longing, and the deep connection we continue to feel with our homeland, especially during difficult times.
The cast delivered outstanding performances filled with honesty, passion, and emotion. Every scene felt genuine and meaningful, and the production created a space for reflection, empathy, and conversation.
Thank you to the entire cast and crew for creating such a courageous and unforgettable piece of theatre. We left feeling deeply moved and grateful for the experience. We highly recommend Nostos to anyone who appreciates thoughtful, emotionally rich, and beautifully performed theatre.
The performances were outstanding. The audience was deeply moved
This was a powerful and deeply moving theater performance. It beautifully captured the emotions, struggles, and resilience of the Iranian people in a thoughtful and authentic way. The story felt genuine and was presented with great sensitivity.
The actors delivered outstanding performances, and their energy and emotion kept the audience engaged from beginning to end. I highly recommend this play to anyone interested in a meaningful and impactful theatrical experience. It is both emotionally powerful and brilliantly performed.
Cried, laughed and went all the way to Iran and back to Canada. Could feel every single character, even the robot. Wardrobe choices were top notch. Amazing Acting. And words and music that hit right into your soul. And Tina's dance made me cry like a child, so touching.
Nostos made me rethink things, made me laugh and cry. Reminded me how complex the human emotions are and made me miss home (Iran). It is a "must watch".
NOSTOS is an incredible and deeply moving play that stays with you long after it ends. The story is beautifully written, balancing dark comedy with raw emotion while exploring friendship, identity, exile, and the weight of witnessing history from afar.
The performances are outstanding, and the choreography adds another powerful layer to the storytelling. Every dance sequence feels meaningful and emotionally charged.
As an Iranian-Canadian, I found this production especially touching. It is a remarkable artistic contribution by Iranian artists, capturing the complexities, pain, resilience, and hope surrounding one of the most significant periods in modern Iranian history.
A truly unforgettable production… Bravo to the entire cast and creative team.
Nostos depicts what Iranian,in and out of Iran, have endured since January with grace and brillience. The pace of the story is fairly fast and uses the elements of modern world to offer a real narrative of what actually happened from the prespetive of Iranian with opposing mindsets. It digs deep into human emotions through exceptional writing, great acting, beautiful choreography, and captivating stage design. I cried and laughed with every scene. If you want to feel human and find out what actually happend to a nation, dont miss this performance.
Nostos was honestly one of the best shows I’ve seen. The acting was incredible, and as an Iranian, I connected deeply with the story and its themes. The performances were powerful, Tina’s dancing was beautiful, and the set and staging were so well done. It was emotional, creative, and unforgettable. I highly recommend it.
Theatre that tackles current events in such a direct can be very hit or miss for me, but this was definitely a HIT! With an incredible cast, sharp and well thought out direction, and incredible dance pieces, this show had me in tears multiple times. A true hidden gem of the festival, please go see it!!!!
⭐☆☆☆☆
Unfortunately, NOSTOS was not for me.
The biggest issue was that I never felt there was a compelling plot (or any plot at all) to carry the audience through the performance. Instead, the production came across primarily as a vehicle for expressing the playwright's views on Iran's Islamic government. Regardless of where audience members stand on the issues, I found the show felt more like an extended lecture than a dramatic work, and I struggled to stay engaged.
I also found parts of the dialogue unnecessarily coarse and vulgar, which further detracted from the experience for me.
There were, however, a few elements I genuinely appreciated. The use of the shoes as props was striking and memorable. I interpreted them as representing the many lives lost under the Iranian regime, and they created one of the production's strongest visual images.
The other standout was the pair of dog characters. They brought much-needed life and originality to the show, and the performer portraying the male dog gave an especially remarkable performance. Their physicality and character work were exceptional and, for me, the highlight of the production.
Overall, though, I found NOSTOS disappointing. I was hoping for a compelling theatrical story but instead experienced a production that I felt prioritized its message over dramatic storytelling. Other people may connect with it more than I did, but it simply wasn't a show I enjoyed.