Mahnaz Afshar: Shakespeare’s Women Are Innocent
We saw Mahnaz Afshar, the Iranian cinema superstar in 2012 in “We Came, You Weren’t, We Went” play directed by Reza Haddad in Iranshahr theatre hall; that was the first time that she played in theatre while it was a small role but its news has been burst, but these days just few people know that Mahnaz Afshar had been one of the students of Late Hamid Samandarian, Iranian Theatre Master.
Then after she played in “21 Times Dying in 30 Days” directed by Saber Abar; the longer and more effective role in comparison with the first experience but “When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet” directed by Bahareh Rahnama that Mahnaz Afshar plays the role of Juliet in it is a different experience for her in acting theatre; a parody of Shakespeare’s women characters which is a successful comedy; Iran Theater has had an interview with her:
You really cancelled your contract with Dr. Rafee’s film because of playing in this role?
While the cinematography of that project was postponed but yes. Because I promised to play in this role to Bahare Rahnama from many times ago so I had to cancel it.
You have been Late Samandarian’s student for several years. What did you learn from him?
I was his student for four years and God bless him because whatever I have in acting is from him and then from those guys I practiced with them. He has an amazing character. Also he was a unique and patient teacher. I learnt the respect to stage from him.
In this play you have a very comfort presence on the stage. Do you still have stress when you want to go to stage?
From the first day of this work I told all of my colleagues that I am shaking and I have stress to make mistake in performance. I tried to not have mistake but my heart beats! I guess even professionals have stress too. But in this play I am working with actors that they really have actor hearts. All the guys send energy to me and decrease my stress. Here nobody wants to show herself and a real teamwork happen.
So theatre is serious for you now?
Yes and more than everything commitment in playing in theatre, respect to stage and respect to art and respect to be in company with number of good actors, live performance and this issue that you do not have time to cut yourself and correct it, so it is a good opportunity for learning and concentration. On the scene you experience concentration and because of this I insist to have a theatre work annually.
How much you like Shakespeare?
I watched all the movies that based on Shakespeare’s works also I saw many film-theatres of his plays. Now after this play I should refer again to his but I have to say that he knew the world of women very good. His women are innocent. It is interesting that Shakespeare has had womanish concerns about them. Thank god that our audience liked the work too. Yes I like Shakespeare.