In a Western Sydney hair salon on the brink of eviction, ancient sorceresses await a prophesied third member of their trinity while fending off encroaching açai entrepreneurs. This unlikely premise forms the foundation of Khair خير: An Omen, A Message, A Blessing, a new production premiering at PYT Fairfield on March 7-8 that blends mysticism with suburban reality.
Developed over three years by a collective of Western Sydney artists, Khair represents something increasingly rare in Sydney's theatrical landscape: a production entirely conceived, created, performed, and produced by women. From the all-female cast to the technical crew, the production offers a timely celebration of women's artistry coinciding with Women's Week.
The narrative follows sister-sorceresses Azita and Sosan, descendants of an ancient magical lineage whose powers have diminished in modern times. Their Fairfield hair salon—the contemporary manifestation of their traditional female healing practice—faces commercial pressure from the neighbouring 3 Brothers Açai business. As mysterious visitors begin appearing at the salon, the sisters consider whether one might be the prophesied third member needed to complete their magical trinity.
"The themes in the story and the play itself are very feminine. They are very connected to the spirit and femininity of women in ancient times," explains devisor and performer Yvan Karezi. "With an all-woman cast, crew and creative team, it has been nice having a very feminine energy in the room to create something beautiful and magical together."
Rather than working from an established script, the production emerged through collaborative devising beginning in 2022. This approach allowed the young ensemble to grow both artistically and personally through the creation process.
"We've been working on it since 2022, where our initial writing room began and we had all just met each other as artists," says Charnel Rizk, who both devised and performs in the production. "We were quite young back then and we've grown in womanhood together. Khair is a nice reflection of our characters and how they've also grown over time."
The production extends beyond conventional theatrical boundaries with a Pre-Show High Chai Experience, inviting audiences to arrive early and participate in a tea ritual inspired by the salon setting. This immersive element, featuring both sweet and savoury treats alongside ceremonial tea service, aims to foster community connection while setting the atmospheric stage for the performance to follow.
Under the direction of Alissar Chidiac, the ensemble of seven performers—Yvan Karezi, Neda Taha, Tammy Dang, Charnel Rizk, Helen Guiliana, Olivia Xegas and Angela Johnston—explores themes of sisterhood, cultural heritage, and community resilience through a narrative that promises both magical elements and comedy.
With its celebration of feminine energy, exploration of cultural mysticism, and grounding in contemporary Western Sydney, Khair خير represents the kind of boundary-pushing, community-connected work that has become PYT Fairfield's hallmark—theatre that reflects the cultural complexity and creative ambition of the area it represents.
When: Friday 7 March – Saturday 8 March 2025
Times: Fri 7 Mar, 7:30pm; Sat 8 Mar, 1:30pm & 7:30pm
Where: PYT Fairfield – 19 Harris St, Fairfield NSW 2165
Tickets: General Admission $15 | Chair required for High Chai $15
Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/khair/tickets
Performance Warning:
This event contains adult themes, offensive language and mild violence.
(images: Anna Kucera)
Comments
Post a Comment