Bahman Farman Ara, Iranian Famous Director Will Direct “A Man For All Seasons” On Stage/Kianian: I Wish Mr. Scofield Was Alive and See Our Play

Iran Theatre- Press conference of “A Man For All Seasons” was held with presence of Bahman Farman Ara, the director and Reza Kianian one of the actors on tuseday October 21^st in Café Nazdik Theatre.

Bahman Farman Ara who experiences his first directing in theatre said that it was an old aim which finally substantiated by the best cast and crew and he is very honored of this companionship. 

He replied to the question about his less activity during last years and said: “However, I wasn’t just sit at home without doing nothing. I directed two documentaries, wrote a play and translated a book. I voted to President Rouhani and I think there is enough hope in the atmosphere that we can do something. Now, we should add wisdom to it too.”

In continuing of the press conference he pointed to “A Man For All Seasons” famous text and explained about performing style of the play: “The original text of the play took four and half hours to be performed that we changed it to two hours. Decoration is very modern and customs and music are very elaborated. We wanted to perform it with modern background and original light, setting and music. The text is exactly the original one but it just summarized.”

Reza Kianian was asked about the role of Sir Thomas More which many years ago was performed by Paul Scofield weather was a risk or not and he replied: “Why it must be risky? I watched this movie when I was teenager and I’ve always respected to all actors who came out from Royal Theatre, as Mr. Scofield. He played the role very well but in his style and English classic one. Naturally I’m supposed to play in my style. This is Reza Kianian’s narrative of this role. If my make-up and costume is similar to Mr. Scofielfd’s is not my fault. However, he had make-up based on this play and old photos. I have no fear of playing in this role and even I wish that he has been alive and see our play too. “

The veteran actor of Iranian cinema and theatre pointed to less role of Iranian theatre in global theatrical events and said: “If we were in global market you see that our directors, actors and artists has nothing less than foreigners, even they have more.”

Kianian reminded a memory from Eugene Ionesco and added: “When I was student Ionesco had a trip to Iran and at that time, Mr. Samandarian directed “Rhinoceroses”. Ionesco himself said that it was the best play he has eve seen in the world.”

Bahman Farman Ara continued Kianian’s words and said: “I definitely can say that my cast is the best by the reflection of our work in comparison of foreigners is less. Foreigners who see our works become surprised that how good actors we have and worthy plays they performed.”

Reza Kianian said that playing in “A Man For All Seasons” was an old wish and added: “beside Macbeth, Amadeus and Chekhov’s plays I always liked to play in it.”

Kianain pointed to “A Man For All Seasons” film that one of the characters was deleted because of shortage of time, the event that is not happened in the play: “Character of popular man which was played by Siamak Safari was one of the main roles that was deleted from the film. This is one of the vent which wasn’t happened in the play. I’m truly jealous of all roles which are played in the play and I wish to perform all of them.”

Siamak Safari, Ahmad Sa’atchian, Reza Molayi, Amir Delavari, Hedayat Hashemi and Mohammad Reza Maleki are other actors of “A Man For All Seasons”.

Bahman Farman Ara hopes to perform the play on November 8^th in Vahdat Hall for 45 nights.