The performance is neither a play with dance numbers nor a dance performance, but something in the middle, called physical theater.

Although many Americans are not familiar with physical theater, Devitt says there is a strong European tradition.

"When I was studying with Marcel Marceau I was a practitioner of that tredition," Devitt said. "When I chose plays, I was always trying to incorporate movement."

Zegans said he volues the play's use of physical language to complement the text.

"In the U.S. we are so word obsessed we miss the richness of physical vocabulary," Zegans said.

Devitt disagreed slightly with Zegans, saying that today's culture is image-obsessed, which makes physical theater even more powerful.

"The theater has been a place for theater to reflect on words," Devitt said. "Physical theater allows that same process with images. Theater can help us absorb, process and reflect on the flood of images."

The flexibility of the performance was one of it's greatest strengths, Devitt said.

"We've added whole dances that weren't there before," Devitt said. "The text was always designed to be adapted."

Mum and Shah opens at the Lyric stage in Boston this Wednesday at 7 p.m. and will also be performed July 13-15 and the 19-22 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.