Marjan Pourgholamhossein: Micro theatre expands the theatrical world
Iran Theater- Marjan Pourgholamhossein, the author and director of the show "280th Night of the Year", believes that the use of the microtheatre technique broadens the theatrical world and at the same time provides the directors with the ability to add special effects and events that are possible in Puppet Theater or other kind of theater
The show "280th Night of the Year" tells the story of a young boy from Isfahan city who went to war and now tells the memories of 12 hours of his life.
Marjan Pourgholamhossein, the writer and director of this show, tried to show a short part of the most important event in Iran's contemporary history, the Iran-Iraq war, using the microtheatre technique.
This is her second experience using the microtheatre technique. Iran Theater talked to her about her new play.
Briefly explain the microtheater technique.
- Microtheatre is a technique that for the first time Hassan Majouni used to perform the play "Insect" in Arsbaran Cultural Center. In fact, there is no such technique as microtheatre in the world, and this was the name he gave to his new experience in Arsbaran Cultural Center, which was an attempt to perform theater in a very small structure. One of the basic requirements of the micro theater was to have several very small sets for performance. Then, Hassan Majouni held three festivals using this technique and titled Microlive, and more theater artists got to know this style. But I think I am now the only one who still insists on producing microtheatre.
What are the positive and negative characteristics of microtheatre for theatrical works?
- The positive feature of this technique for me is mixing cinema and theater together. Microtheatre gives directors a special opportunity to perform. It broadens the theatrical world while giving them the ability to add special effects and events that are not possible in puppet or other kind of theater. But the cost and technology problems are negative aspects of this technique.
What was the reason for using this technique to narrate Operation Karbala-4 in this show?
- A large part of the story takes place in the water and Arvand river. The microtheatre technique made it possible for us to be more open to perform many things, especially to show the underwater world. In fact, with the help of micro theater, we showed a world that was difficult to show in the normal theater.