Playing a Vague Character like Alireza Kolahi Is Difficult

Kamran Shahalei, writer of the play, has handed over the role to Ramin Sayyardashti, who is a master degree graduate of theater direction from Islamic Azad University’s Art and Architecture Faculty of Tehran.

Sayyardashti talks more about his role.

Why have you joined “Seven Days of Tir (June) 1981”?

I have never played in a piece based on a true story. I did not intend to play in such shows. I liked physical and formalistic plays more. However, such works tempted me and wanted to find a chance to play in such pieces. Kamran Shahlaei talked about his play with me and I felt I could play the character in a way that appeals to audience. That is why I decided to star in this play.

Did you have any information about the character of Alireza Kolahi before the performance?

I started studying about his character after accepting the role. That year was insecure, strange and inflammatory in Iran history, especially in early 1981 when two major terrorist incidents happened in the country within four months. The terrorist incidents led to martyrdom of a great number of senior officials of the Islamic Republic while their terrorists disappeared. This could be an attractive subject for the audience.  

I had not heard anything about Kolahi. Mr Shahlaei regards Kolahi as biggest terrorist in Iran history. He seemed simple on the surface but finally reveals how sophisticated his personality was when he disappeared after such terrorist attack. Many questions about him remain unanswered.

How much Mr Shahlaei has been successful in portraying the situation?

Mr Shahlaei has written this true story through investigation and comments of those remained alive of the incident given that there is no document about the mastermind of the terrorist attack.

As you said, Alireza Kolahi is disappeared. What was your idea about portraying him?

Playing vague characters have difficulties. We did not know how terrorist attack was committed by Alireza Kolahi. Had he plotted it? Is he regretful? and… There are no answers to these questions, placing us in limbo.

My idea of the character was related to information about Kolahi, who was an electronic engineering graduate. It is not clear whether he made the bombs. I suggested to put some tools and electronic devices to help portraying the character.

On his office on stage, we put a recorder and some devices like screws. It is not clear for the audience whether he was repairing a recorder or making a bomb when he was working with these tools. The recorder could also remind spectator of the assassination attempt on supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on June 27 the same year.

Also, when he repeatedly burns his hands with tools or hear voices that could show his anxieties and stresses. These steps could help portraying his character better.

Mohammad Larati and Kamran Shahlaei are performing “Seven Days of Tir (June) 1981” in Sayeh Hall of Tehran City Theater Complex. The 90-minute play, which opened on June 28, tells a true story of one of the crisis of Iran’s contemporary history.

Amin Sayyardashti, Farzin Mohades, Mojgan Khaleghi, Farhad Tafreshi, Ahmad Jafari and Hedieh Rezaei will star in the 80-minute play.

Ali Nasr is production director, Saeed Hasanlou set designer, Elaheh Hajizadeh media advisor, Sina Afshar graphic designer, Shahin Rahmanali lighting designer and Ali Sina Rezania the composer.

“Seven Days of Tir (June) 1981” has performance every day except for Saturdays at 20:30 until July 14.