Self-Manifestation in “Nil in Nil”

Started his theater career in 1978 in the Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, Mohammad Hatami played in pieces by noted directors in decades later. He starred in “Antigone” by Pari Sabir and “Marekeh dar Marekeh” and “Lover Killing” by Siavash Tahmores as well as “Shams” by Amir Dejakam and “Icarus” by Behrouz Gharibpour.

Mr Hatami has starred in “Nil in Nil” with Asghar Hemmat, Ezatollah Mehravaran and Shoreh Lorestani. The piece is directed by Siavosh Tahmores. He tells more about his character in the piece in an interview with irantheater.ir.

 What is your definition of the method of acting and performance situation in “Nil in Nil”?

It is like an interaction and phenomenon. This phenomenon is not unexpected experience for actors rather an action and reaction one. It is the general nature of theater, which influences the audience and coveys the reaction of audience too. “Nil in Nil” is the true example of this.

Do you face your true self in “Nil in Nil”?

Acting means to lay yourself bare. The actor should manifest his emotions to create something. Our acting in “Nil in Nil” is this type. Some individuals may say “Nil in Nil” is a documentary. I believe is not a correct interpretation and analysis of this piece.

Do you face a new experience and form in your acting?

We actors faced new experience in this piece. The director intended to present a new performance to the audience after directing lots of pieces.

Did you ask Siavosh Tahmores why he made such an approach towards acting method?

He needs new experience on the stage. We have accepted it. One of playwrights who is a director too staged the pieces he had written based on his real experiences and findings. He behaved this way. He went to public places and found his characters there. For example, he had gone to a café from morning till night and taken notes from the behaviors from their bad mouthing to their chewing the breeze on their debts and bad weather... Then he turned them into a play.

Why the piece has performed only six nights?

It was because of its form. The piece will be played in other cities later.

Do you need to make new experiences to establish better connection with the audience?

The dynamism and better connection with audience in our theater needs making new experiences. It is said Jesus changed the name of some people whenever travelled to a new city or region. Someone asked him why he did so. Jesus said because that makes people to be born again and find new things inside themselves. We need such rebirths in our art.