Mashahad’s Bestseller in 35th Fadjr International Theater Festival

“Phoenix Orphanage” is competing for awards in the 35^th Fadjr International Theater Festival. It is performed in Vahdat Hall. “Phoenix Orphanage” is multi-character with a ten-member chorus. It is the story of an orphan boy called Phoenix which saves London from an orphanage. The subject of the piece is about mistakes and sins of Londoners, leading the city to be cursed.

“Phoenix Orphanage” lays emphasis on the power of love and compassion for human, trying to show how much love can ease tensions in the society. The piece has 11 main characters and some kids who play the role of orphans. The cast members are 28. “Phoenix Orphanage” is performed by Pastou Troupe.

Mohammad-Reza Solati, Masoud Aghli, Neda Mohammadi, Mahboubeh Soltani, Vahid Abbasi, Mojtaba Shafiei, Samira Moein, Faezeh Aliabadi, Mitra Asgari, Farshad Qasemi, Arash Yazdani, Soroush Beikian, Behnoush Ejtehadi, Darya Tajiroudi, Sara Nadaf, Arta Bandiani, Maysa Milaninejad, Ehsan Dabir and Maedeh Nasirinasab play in “Phoenix Orphanage”.

Nastaran Abolhasanzadeh is head of the group, Milad Qanbari, composer, Yaser Oudi and Amin Rezaei, an advisor to director, Karen Saeedian assistant director, Siamak Dorani costume designer, Somayeh Arqabaei make-up designer, Mostafa Bozorgi set director, Maedeh Jafari set secretary, Rana Partoei poster and brochure designer, Mohammad Niazi head of the chorus, Faezeh Aliabadi and Rana Partoei the photographer, Pouya Ghazi advertisement director and Mohammad Javad Abdi public relations director.

Mohammad Niazi talks about “Phoenix Orphanage”.

How did you form an idea of making a musical piece?

The idea is original and belongs to me. Arash Kheirabadi, a contemporary and noted Mashhad poet, wrote the play. It took six months for him to write the play and poems. He rewrote the play three to four times. We started rehearsing “Phoenix Orphanage” since October 2015 in Anoushiravan Arjmand Theater in Mashhad. It is a historical melodrama dating back to 18^th century and building of Big Ben (a nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north of the Palace of Westminster in London). Many rehearsals were related to train the cast how to sing. This took about four months.

Is the performance based on musical theater?

Yes. I have tried to move the piece into fantasy in my direction. The characters are made on music notes. We have decided since the begining to give a special theme to each character. I had directed another musical in Mashhad in the past. It was called “Barber”. Milad Qanbari had composed its music. It was performed in the Student Theater Festival and audience liked it.

How did audience receive “Phoenix Orphanage” in Mashhad?

It was extraordinary. We were best-selling piece in Mashhad in 29 days of performance. More than 9,000 spectators watched it. “Phoenix Orphanage” grossed about 113m tomans. My studies show that it was the bestselling piece in the history of Mashhad theater.

Why did you direct a musical?

The ambience of the piece is about love. There is a poetry in love. Therefore, a musical and opera can relate to this ambience. The nature of poetry is blended with love.