A historical play on the life of the late Iranian prime minister Mohammad Mosadeq will go on stage at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall from July 10.
Written and directed by Asghar Khalili, ‘Night Reports of Dr. Mosadeq’ is a documentary recounting different incidents from the 1953 coup d’état till Mosadeq’s death, Mehr News Agency reported.
A production of ‘New Experience’ Theater Group, the play has a sociological approach towards the events. It depicts four stages of Mosadeq’s life which were all influential in his own destiny and of the nation.
Mosadeq (1882-1967) was Iran’s prime minister from 1951 until 1953, when his government was overthrown in a coup d’état aided and abetted by the American Central Intelligence Agency and the British Secret Intelligence Service.
An author, administrator, lawyer, and prominent parliamentarian, his administration introduced a range of progressive social and political reforms such as social security, rent control, and land reforms. However, his most notable policy was the nationalization of the Iranian oil industry in 1951, which was under British control since 1913.
He was imprisoned for three years, then put under house arrest until his death and was buried in his own home in Ahmadabad village in Alborz Province so as to prevent a political furor.
Many Iranians regard and respect the prominent politician as the leading champion of democracy and resistance to foreign domination in Iran’s modern history.
It took Khalili a year to complete the script. In order to deliver an authentic story, he interviewed the figures who had a connection with Mosadeq or were his contemporary.
The play comprises 17 main characters and over 40 minor ones. Farhad Ayish, Iraj Rad, Khosro Ahmadi, Reza Behbudi, Narges Mohamadi and Roya Mirelmi are among the big cast which includes over 50 actors.
Ayish, 64, who plays the role of Mosadeq, is a famous actor, playwright and theater director who had his academic education in the UK and the US. Living for many years in cities such as San Francisco, Washington and Boston, he has directed and played in over 30 plays in English and Persian. He returned to Iran in 1997 after 27 years.
Ayish has over 60 plays, movies and TV series in his resume.
The play will be on stage till August 10 at Vahdat Hall in central Tehran.
