Noushin & I Have Commonalities in Theater

A graduate of theater from Tehran University's Dramatic Arts Faculty, Asghar Hemmat has the first degree emblem of merit in acting from the Evaluation Council of Artists. He played in classic plays such as "Macbeth", "Othello" and "Electra". The other pieces acted by him include "Slowly with Roses" (Hadi Marzban), "The Melody of Rainy City" (Hadi Marzban) and "Kindness and Mirrors" (Hamid Amjad).

“Portrait of a Fallen Man”, co-written and co-directed by Gholamhossein Dowlatabadi and Araz Barseghian, is on stage since September 4 in Sangelaj Theater with Asghar Hemmat playing the character of Abdolhossein Noushin.

Asghar Hemmat plays the character of Abdolhossein Noushin in the piece, irantheater.ir reported.

The show, in two acts, reveals the life story of Abdolhossein Noushin, the late leading Iranian playwright and director. The piece reflects two important turning points in the life of Abdolhossein Noushin.

The monodrama of “Portrait of a Fallen Man” is inspired by studies and researches conducted on the life of Abdolhossein Noushin. Asghar Hemmat will not only play as Abdolhossein Noushin in the piece but also he would act in the role of those facing him in his life.

The team includes Sina Yeylaghbeigi as costume and set designer, Aabes Kholghi as lighting designer and Hoda Peydayesh as poster and brochure designer.

Asghar Hemmat talks about the play and challenges of playing the character of Mr Noushin.

 

Shall we know Noushin in his art career or through his political inclinations?

We have dealt with political tendencies of Mr Noushin in the piece because the political issues prevented Noushin of having a different fate. This was dealt with in Othello section of the piece. "He was a man who did not decide wisely through the path of love and was caught in the trap of deception and optimism." As it was the fate of Othello, it was the destiny of Noushin too. Noushin confessed that he had made bad choice and distance himself from to be influential in theater which was a loss for both him and theater.

 

If he made a different choice, will Iran modern theater experience a different fate?

Yeah. No doubt. As much as he was active in theater, he influenced largely Iran theater. He trained many students and pushed Iran theater toward progress. He paid his dues to Iran theater over a decade-long activity. But it is a shame why such a legendary figure was lost. It is our pity why such a thing happened. When you have such a thing as theater…which can serve the mankind and its sublimation, why one must devote it to daily concerns, parties and political inclinations.

 

What was the specification of playing in a monodrama?

I was worried since the start. My heartbeat rate increased as it was my first experience in this field. I had to play one hour and half alone. I has played in major pieces, which had too many dialogues such as Island, Othello, Khajeh Nezamol Molk and …but had a space to breathe and take rest. I knew that I had no passage in this piece and …made my job difficult. If I had to play a dialogue once, it would have been easier. But I had to play different characters in this show.

Noushin was also a talented actor in addition to his skill as director and a playwright. How do you see that?

I have never seen his acting. But I supposed it should be exaggerated as it was all the acting in the past. I tried to show this part of him in Zal & Roudabeh act of the piece. I reached such conclusion through the existing photos when Noushin focused on his group and theater. This was a common point between Noushin and I. Theater life of Noushin is very similar to that of me. But his political life is way different from that of me.

 

Thus, are you satisfied with your acting in the piece?

Sure, it was a new experience. I reached the conclusion based on reactions that even if a scrupulous critic sees more positive points rather than negative ones.