Performing theater in Iran has excited me

"Mercy Shot" is a show that depicts the story of human pain and suffering in the battlefield of today's world by performing physical movements of the actors accompanied by music. After the first performance of the show, Iran Theater had a conversation with Mohammad Moayyed about the Fajdr International Theater Festival, performance in Iran and "Mercy Shot".

The show "Mercy Shot" has been on stage at Fadjr International Theater Festival of Iran; How did you find the reaction of your Iranian audience?

- I can say that participating in FITF makes me proud and I am so full of happiness that I am over the moon. I also thank all the Iranian artists and audiences for standing ovation .

Can you explain the process of the initial idea to the performance? What format and genre did you choose to perform your desired content and concept? And did you achieve your goal in performing the show?

- I must say that I was engaged in writing the play for about five years. Also, due to the successive wars in my country and the fact that I myself have lost several of my relatives during the wars, and these issues have annoyed me, and made me think of bringing my purpose to the stage without using words and only using the body movements of the cast, in a way that is understandable to all people. So that this wordless theater, only in the form of actors' bodies, can convey its content about the painful condition of humans in today's world to the audience, and I can reach my goal. I believe that by performing the show, I have been able to get very close to my main purpose and the audience can identify with it.

Has "Mercy Shot" been performed before in your hometown or in other countries? What has been the audience's feedback?

- It was performed at a theater festival in Baghdad two months ago and won the award for the best group performance. It is the second performance in the 41st FITF. The show was well received in Iraq.

How did you find  performing arts in Iran?

- I must say that I regret the condition of performing arts in Iran. Iran has very outstanding facilities.

How did you choose the cast and the crew and what was your plan for them?

- Since the physical ability of the performers is considered the most important feature for such performances, I have formed a group for years and have prepared my performers through training courses and sports, gymnastics and yoga. ; But I needed cooperation from the organizers of the 41st Fadjr International Theater Festival for decor and accessories and …. They fully cooperated with me in the preparation and performance of the show.

What’s your idea about holding and participating in art events such as FITF? What do you think this festival will achieve?
- I had no performance in Iran until before, But after a few days of staying in Iran and rehearsal and just one day after the festival, I can say that this festival is one of the most prominent festivals in the field of theater art. And the presence of artists from different countries along with Iranian artists in this artistic event will lead to interaction and companionship and cultural association and exchange of experiences between them. In my opinion, this festival has advantages that will benefit the culture and art of the region.

In general, how do you evaluate the enthusiasm of the Iranian audience for the shows in the Fadjr International Theater Festival?

-Although only one day has passed since the beginning of the Fadjr International Theater Festival and our play was performed on the first day of festival, But during our several days of rehearsals  and when I got feedback , I realized that the enthusiasm and interest of Iranian artists and audiences is very high towards the performing arts.

The 2023 FITF is underway the Iranian capital until January 31.