Difficult to Act in Three Roles

Mehrnoush Balameh holds a master's degree from the Fine Arts University and a bachelor of handicrafts from Kashan University. Her career as playwright, director, actress, set and costume designer includes plays such as 'Land Of Alphabet', 'Three Stories', '30', 'On High Heels'.

Iran classical literature is a timeless source of performing arts, which has been forsaken by many theater directors. Mahdi Shahpiri, an innovative and talented young director, has adapted Iranian writer Sadegh Hedayat’s short story titled 'Abji Khanom'.

 ‘Abji’ is the story of an ugly girl whom no man wants to marry. She has a beautiful sister named Mahrokh who is going to marry soon. The ugly girl commits suicide on the wedding night of Mahrokh. A man rescues Abji from drowning and will marry later. But the rescuer is not a typical man. The play had been performed once in the Puppet Show Theater Festival.

It is a piece by Bidel Theater Group. Minoo Maleki, Nasim Taji, Mehrnoush Balameh, Dariush Fayezi and Katayoun Razmhosseini play in ‘Abji' at Sayeh Hall of the City Theater Complex.

Mohammad Bohrani is the art advisor and Mehran Nael the producer. Other crew members are assistant directors: Navid Akbari Mobarakeh and Nina Farshadi, set designers: Mahdi Shahpari and Mehrnoush Balameh, costume designer and puppet maker: Mehrnoush Balameh, assistant producer: Maryam Haydari, set directors: Negin Onsori and Seyyed Amin Kazemzadeh, media and advertisement: Mina Pirouzian, photographer: Saba Qasemi.

Mehrnoush Balameh talks about the play.

Have you cooperated with the director in designing 'Abji' which is an adaptation of Sadegh Hedayat's story? Which part of the story have you focused on?

The main theme was fascinating. It was the reason we had chosen it for performance. It is the issue of women and those rules imposed on them by the society and how social situation can change the life of people. The story could give us many visual ideas because of its space, time and location. It was planned to be performed for the Puppet Show Festival because it has many fantasies and puppets.

 

Therefore, you have chosen an eastern atmosphere?

Yes. The ambience looked like the One Thousand and One Night myth.  

Does 'Abji' picture the situation of Iranian women a century ago?

Yes. We tried to show the challenges, restrictions and concerns of the women of that period of time.

 

Three actresses play all three characters each. What do they present to the spectators?

This characteristic was related to the analysis of director of the atmosphere of the play. Mahdi Shahpiri believed that all women in the play have an Abji, a Golnesa or a Mahrokh in their souls but the society has made them to highlight one of the characteristics of their character but they could easily change to another one.

 

Are all the three women victims?

The society and those who live with them play part in their fates. Sometimes, we chose a path in our lives but it is not in line with the society and it will change.  I cannot definitely say they are victims. But they face difficult condition.

Can people change their destined fate?

It is possible. But most of the time it is doomed to failure.

What are the characteristics of playing in three roles?

It is difficult. I hope I have been successful. I have chosen certain characteristics for each role to highlight them such as physical acts or change in how to behavior.