Shakespeare’s prowess to voice dissent through soul-stirring plays which lay bare social and personal truths is still a tool to show resistance. At least in politically sensitive Iran, where artists and writers face many challenges. The Mostaghel, the only formal theatre company in Iran, has been using adaptations of the bard’s plays to depict the state-of-affairs in the country, now on the verge of a war.
The company’s last year offer at the International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFoK) was the adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream , which was much lauded. This year, it is back again with Coriolanus, a Persian adaptation of the Shakespearean original that hints at the country’s many turbulent political situations. “We dedicate our play to the people of Iran, who have been oppressed by the rulers for long,” says Mostafa Koushki, the play’s director.
One of Shakespeare’s famous tragedies, Coriolanus is based on the life of Caius Marcious, a legendary Roman leader who was given the name Coriolanus following his success against various uprisings challenging the Roman regime. But his temperament is unsuited for popular leadership and he fails to win the support of his people and loses the position of Consul. He then allies with his enemy Tullus Aufidius and swears to take revenge on his city. The conclusion of this decision was his death.
Mr. Koushiki says a theatre presentation from Iran at this time is not an easy task with tensions mounting in West Asiat after the killing of Iran’s military commander Quassem Soleimani.
“In dictatorial government and totalitarian regimes, sovereignty and the masses join hands in a queer way as the dominant and the dominated. The masses repeat words of the domineer without any thought and the domineer rides on it. This will cause elites, intellectuals and rationalists to be killed, deported or be imprisoned. There is no difference between Third World and Developed countries in this trend,” says Mr. Koushki.
The Mostaghel Theatre Company has more than 10 productions since its formation four years ago. Coriolanus ‘s musician Ali Rezania, who effortlessly handled more than half a dozen instruments, was given a huge rounds of applause by the audience.
An Evening with Immigrant from the U.K. and Cheralacharitham , a Malayalam play, were the other two plays staged on Wednesday at the ITFoK.
