Miller Recognized for His Plays’ Humanist Side

She holds a bachelor degree in direction and acting from Dramatic Arts University. Ms Afshar Panah was graduated in 1973. Afshar Panah is a genuine theater actress. She has played in many pieces since she was a theater student. She is a permanent member of Kouch Troupe, which is headed by Manijeh Mohamedi.

 “Incident at Vichy” is a piece with the dramaturgy of Ms Mohamedi with a few changes. Mahvash Afshar Panah, Mohammad Eskandari, Farnaz Rahnama, Mohammad Naderi, Houman Kiaei, Sam Kaboudvand, Mohammad Khodaverdi, Majid Jafari, Nastaran Pikano, Dariush Barzegar, Mehdi Mashhadi Kazemi and Ehsan Moradkhahi are the cast members. Nazis have arrested some people and taken them into a dungeon. Their fates are uncertain. The piece is on stage every day at 20:30 in Nazerzadeh Hall of Iranshahr Theater. Other members are Amir Hossein Davani, set designer, costume designer, Maryam Ghayourzadeh, assistant director, Mahana Narimani, music, Arsham Moadabian, video, Mohammad Hossein Jafari.

Mahvash Afshar Panah talks about the piece more.

 

What are the achievements of working with a director and permanent troupe for an actress?

Performances must be defined for a troupe. A troupe whose members work together for some time could know talents and capabilities of each other better. If troupe is professional, the relationships among its members would be good and based on mutual understanding. This will definitely lead to a very good performance.

 

How has Kouch Troupe managed to continue for over three decades?

The efficient management of Manijeh Mohamedi and her professional interaction with the members of the troupe. Manijeh Mohamedi has individual approach toward theater troupes and performances. She chooses top-notch plays for performance. Kouch has been continuing its work over three decades with no problem. The core of the troupe is Mohammad Eskandari besides Manijeh Mohamedi. Mohammad Eskandari is a veteran actor and the troupe respects its senior members well. The troupe faces no tension among its members thanks to efficient management. New young talents who join the troupe every now and then breathe fresh air into it. Mohammad Naderi and Farnaz Rahnama have been among young talents who joined the troupe and turned into experienced and accomplished actor/actress.

Does Manijeh Mohamedi choose the roles for actors or the roles are handed over to the cast members in the course of rehearsals?

Cast members are involved in choosing the roles. They express their views. Maijeh Mohamedi chooses plays in which actors can get involved. For instance, Houman Kiaei is invited as guest actor for “Incident at Vichy”.

Why do you think Arthur Miller is still a popular playwright for stage directors?

His plays are global with no time or place limit. They are timeless actually. Miller’s writings include deep meanings. Miller has a humanistic look. His sociological views cover the environment and are not limited to special geography.

“Incident at Vichy” has been staged in Iran a few times. Is that true?

It was performed once in 1970s with the acting of Mahmoud Dowlatabdi and Saeed Soltanpour.