Pact With the Devil

Molavi Theater is hosting an adaptation of the novel ‘Mephisto’ written by German author Klaus Mann (1906-1949). It is a story of decadence and evil.

Mephisto or Mephistopheles is one of the chief demons of German literary tradition, most notably in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s tragic play ‘Faust’ in which Faust is a charlatan who is very successful yet dissatisfied with his life. So he makes a pact with the devil, exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures.

Klaus Mann’s novel tells a satiric story about the rise to power of a man named Hendrik Hofgen, an actor who is driven by an obsessive need for power and fame. His brilliant success as Mephisto in ‘Faust’ brings him the support of the prime minister, who appoints him head of the State Theater. His dreams are finally realized, but the story ends on a note of despair as Hofgen is forced to confront the emptiness in his life.

The adaptation is directed by Masoud Delkhah and has Morteza Esmaeil-Kashi, Mohammadreza Ali-Akbari, Parisa Rezaei, Amirhossein Sardarian, Mohammad Sadeqi and Reza Mousavi in the cast, Tiwall.com reported.

It will remain on stage of Molavi Theater, located at No. 16, 16th Azar Street, Enqelab Street, through January 19.