Reza Hasankhani: The feature of our performance is a great tragedy
Iran Theater- The show "Rostam and Sohrab" written by Dariush Nasiri and Morteza Vakilian and directed by Reza Hasankhani is based on the story "Rostam and Sohrab" of Shahnameh .
This show is about 45 minutes. "Rostam and Sohrab" recounts the fight between Rostam and Sohrab. The narrator and player is a woman. This woman plays the role of Rostam and Sohrab and also stands in the position of an omniscient narrator and tells the story beyond roles and characters.
Why did you choose the play "Rostam and Sohrab"?
- One of my favorites is Shahnameh and working on Iranian dramas as a director is one of my concerns. And I decided to bring it on the stage with a melodrama approach and use different types of Iranian shows such as naqqali, ta'zieh, music, etc. My focus has been on moral, family, love and marriage in this show. At first, Rostam became interested in Tahmineh and later married her, and Sohrab is also their child and... My most important motivation has been to use the melodrama with emotional tone and preference based on characterization for this show.
There is no special decor for the show and we only see special accessories and mise-en-scènes. Why didn't you use decor?
- "Rostam and Sohrab" is melodrama and the structure is Aristotelian. The feature of our performance is a great tragedy as well. I should say according to Aristotle, tragedy has six main elements; plot, character, diction, thought, spectacle (scenic effect), and song (music). The most unimportant element from Aristotle's point of view is spectacle. In "Rostam and Sohrab", we didn't have any decor and stage design, but our story is very important. And we were adherent of Aristotelian elements and there are cause and effect relationships.
As you said before, your concern is Iranian shows, what should be done to increase attention to Iranian performances?
- Yes, I said that my main concern is the identity of Iranian shows, we must teach Iranian mythology, epics and important stories to students so that they can use these in creating their works. The best opportunity in this situation is to introduce the history and commitment to Iran to our audience as an artist, to create more interest in the country and Iranian stories. We must show a sense of patriotism and not reject our audience.
How do you see the 41st FITF?
- The holding of the Fajdr Theater Festival is very good and the cooperation of the festival staff is very noticeable; but there were a few shows that touched my heart in the 41st FITF.
How about the reception of the audience and artists?
- The reception of the audience has been very encouraging, and this keeps the light of theater on in the country.
The 41st FITF is underway in Tehran until January 31. The festival is presided over by Iranian actor and director Kourosh Zarei
