Mahtab Askari on Oedipus Rex
Performing classical plays is a great lesson
Iran Theater-Mahtab Askari, the director of the show "Oedipus Rex" believes that theater is a dynamic art that should move with the times.
Oedipus Rex, also known by its Greek title, Oedipus Tyrannus, or Oedipus the King, is an Athenian tragedy by Sophocles that was first performed around 429 BC. Originally, to the ancient Greeks, the title was simply Oedipus, as it is referred to by Aristotle in the Poetics.
The show "Oedipus Rex" is on stage at Tehran Theater Complex these days.
Mahtab Askari explained why she chose this play: "It is a great honor for any director to be close to the classic and authentic works of the world. I decided to direct one of the classic plays a long time ago."
She continued: "Performing classical plays is a great lesson and experience in the career of theater directors. Initially, I prepared the play "Prometheus Bound", but finally I decided to direct the play Oedipus Rex ".
The director explained about the process of rehearsal: "The cast consist of 110 people and we practiced for about six months. Most of them perform form movements in order to better instill the concept of the show."
" The expected time for the play is about 2 hours and 30 minutes, but today's audience does not have the time and patience to watch long shows, rewritings were done while remaining faithful to the play. The performance time is 75 minutes. "
About the performance of this play, the director said that the number of our performers is very large and it was a difficult to them for rehearsals and re-performances. Many of the them are first- time performers , and the cancellation of the work could hurt them mentally. In addition, during the current conditions, we neither knew what would happen tomorrow, nor could we make another decision to perform."
Askari added: "Theater is alive art and based on the conditions of the time. Certainly, artists can communicate with people much better and have a greater impact on people. . Definitely, the show that reflects the society should stay on the stage. We, the directors and writers, must be the voice of the people and we must move forward with the society."