An Interview with Hamed Mehrizizadeh, Director
'Bitter Tea', a Performance Dealing with Diabetes Challenges
'Bitter Tea', a Performance Dealing with Diabetes Challenges 2
'Bitter Tea', a Performance Dealing with Diabetes Challenges 3
Iran Theater: Hamed Mehrizizadeh is a theater artist from central province of Yazd. He is a graduate of Soureh University, who has started his career in theater in 2001. He is a director and actor and teaches at the university. 'Charisma', 'Kakouti', '3659', 'Za' and 'Chat' are among his pieces.
He had first performed 'Bitter Tea' in the spring of 2015. His focus is raising awareness about diabetes.
Hamed Mehrizizadeh talks more about his performance.
What are you dealing with in 'Bitter Tea'?
Yazd is recognized as the capital of diabetes. I deal with this sickness in my performance. I have diabetes. Many members of my family are suffering from diabetes. I am director and performer of my piece. My performance is divided in two sections; in first part the performer who is step away of diabetes serves tea for audience. Performer takes as much sugar as the audience to reach to the point of no return. Diabetes steps closer and closer. He will not have diabetes only if spectators refrain drinking tea, or drink them with no sugar or take them bitter. The second half pictures performer who is suffering from diabetes for several years. He has lost a finger due to diabetes. He (performer of the second half is Sattar Vaziri Yazdi) takes cellphone number of some spectators to call them during the performance and gives warning against diabetes to take less sugar for not to make their lives bitter due to diabetes.
How long have you been active in performance art?
It has been four years. Performance art is a mixture of theater and art. It is rooted in visual arts including arts such as painting, sculpting, theater and etc. It does not have actor but performer.
What are the points of Fadjr International Theater Festival?
Fadjr International Theater Festival is the country's most important event of performing arts, which has positive results for groups coming from cities other than the capital Tehran.
'Bitter Tea' was performed on the last day of the 36th Fadjr International Theater Festival on January 28.