Manouchehr Akbarlou on the lack of native themes in plays

Provincial Theater festivals  are holding all over Iran these days But there is  the lack of shows with native themes, So Iran Theater talks with Manouchehr Akbarlou, a researcher, playwright and university lecturer about the lack of native themes in the shows.

National identity and indigenous subcultures are important in dramas, especially the dramas that are performed in different provinces of the country, but there is a lack of dramas with indigenous and folklore themes. what is your opinion?

- In all the festivals, there have always been writers who have created their works based on the native and local customs of their region and ecosystem, but unfortunately, there are not many of them, and it seems that this self-deprecation and lack of confidence in one's own abilities is one of the problems of theaters in different provinces. .

                                                                

The exaggeration of not using the potential of indigenous culture against the exaggeration of the illusion of knowing hurts the theater. Some artists think that with little experience, they don't need to learn new knowledge, experience, and update themselves. This lack of self-confidence and lack of knowledge is one of the most important factors that reduce the quality of works and lack of native theater. In addition to these reasons, because the plays written based on the ritual, tradition and native culture of provincial writers are not performed in their region; writers have no motivation to produce plays in this field and hope that their works will be performed in other provinces and subcultures.

How can this weakness be solved?

- It seems that this weakness will be solved to some level by creating self-confidence and paying more attention to theatrical productions with indigenous content in various festivals. Also, in all festivals, special attention can be paid to writers who write based on their native customs. Paying attention to native plays should be considered in a principled way by avoiding harming the essence and quality of theater in all kinds of provincial, national festivals.

You have many years of experience in the field of children's theater. How successful do you think writers in the provinces have been?

- Fortunately, children theater playwrights have been very successful in different cities such as Isfahan, Ahvaz, etc. With their activity , childrens drama is not only limited to Tehran, and this playwriting ability is spread throughout the country.