Concert theater “10 Years of Solitude,” written and directed by actor, singer and guitarist Ashkan Khatibi, will go on stage at Vahdat Hall in Tehran July 23-24.
The work is premised on the basis of an original idea by Khatibi and graphic designer, illustrator and concept artist Soheil Danesh-Eshraqi, art director of the project. It will be performed by the group “Rock the Pen” including three thespians, six musicians and three choir singers, Honaronline reported on its Persian website.
Concert theater is a combination in which music and drama are performed live together. Through interweaving, music does not just define mood and atmosphere, but serves as another language expressed by the musicians - a voice and character in its own right, spoken alongside the actors on the stage. Music and drama are presented side by side, to create a rich and complete performance.
10 Years of Solitude is set in a graveyard and narrates a tragic life story. The play also covers some true events in Khatibi’s own life, particularly the death of one of his friends. It is about “a movie buff who imagines himself in the shoes of heroes in famous films.”
The memories Khatibi shared with his late friend inspired him in writing the concert theater. The movies they watched and the games they played can be traced in the performance. Even soundtracks of the movies are integrated into the work.
Khatibi has a role in the play along with his wife Anahita Dargahi and Pouria Rahimi-Sam. The musicians include Bardia Amiri on percussion; electric guitarist Nima Ramezan; Arash Saeedi on bass guitar; guitarist Soroush Adl; and Hooman Namdari on saxophone. Tara Salahi and Mona Shams are in the choir.
10 Years of Solitude was first staged last December at Vahdat Hall and due to public reception will have its second round of performance at the same venue after seven months.
According to Khatibi 10 Years of Solitude is an evolved version of his 2016 rock concert titled “Rock the Pen” which was staged at Tehran’s Mostaqel (Independent) Theater and Charsou Cineplex.
Tickets for the upcoming concert theater are available at Irannamayesh.com.
