“Houtan’s Death” Is Actor-Centered

Holding a bachelor degree in direction from Soureh private university and master degree in acting from Cinema & Theater University, Mr Shakiba starred an old man named Abdullah in “Timequake”. He played an old woman called nanny in “Uncle Vanya” while starred a naughty force in “Exorcism”.  

Mr Shakiba has played in numerous theater pieces directed by noted directors such as Nader Borhani-Marand, Hassan Majouni, Mohammad Aqebati.

“Houtan’s Death”, which is being performed in Paliz Theater now, deals with a theatre troupe which is rehearsing for a piece but cannot perform it due to some problems. “Houtan’s Death”, which is written by Behzad Aqajamali, is directed by Yousef Bapiri. Houtan Shakiba, Setareh Pesiani, Sahar Dowlatshahi, Bahar Katouzi, Davoud Vandadeh, Mahtab Amin-ol Roaya, Mahan Shahidizadeh and Delnia Qaderpour star in the piece.

Houtan Shakiba tells irantheater.ir more about the piece.

You are among actors with high talents in playing the realistic shows. What are the characteristics of “Houtan’s Death”?

This is my third experience in such atmosphere. “Houtan’s Death” completed my trilogy of “Destroyed” and “Comment”. All three pieces are based on internal relationships of a theater troupe during rehearsal and performance. On acting, I should tell that the characters are close to the actors and we should not distance our real self during the performance. We call ourselves with our real name. This method of performance lays emphasis on the originality of the actor rather than being character-centered.

What does this originality mean?

There is no character to act but we play ourselves based on the situation and the form of the set. This method of acting is difficult. I have no escape route in this method and cannot put on mask. I have to use other means of character makings and all my acting is restricted to my presence on the stage.

Don’t you have any challenge of being judged by the audience as you are playing yourself?

I cannot get worried about the judgement and interpretation of the audience and not to do my acting. I have played enough characters who had been way different from my real self. I played an old woman in “Uncle Vanya”…or a dog in “Scarecrow”. Each character brought me special achievement. I used to think about what character I play in a piece but I am focusing on the acting and piece now.