Broadway Blog - Movie Actors on Stage...in Iran

Do you think that Broadway is unique in the ever ongoing debate about film actors on stage? If you answered yes, you'd be be wrong, because they're now debating in the issue in ... Iran of all places. 

Yep, there's more controversy going on over there than just the nuclear reactor stuff that we see on the news. A new article in the Tehran Times (Iran's Leading International Daily), the paper debates the very issue about noted Iranian film stars, appearing in plays. 

The writer pontificates that:

"Scholars and stage artists have different ideas about the appearance of movie stars on stage which originates from their different views about the essence of the art and the current social status in Iran. Neither is there a consensus among theatergoers on this issue.

What is crystal clear is that theater marquees with the flashy names of well-known movie stars can draw people into theaters, but is this a long term remedy for reversing theatrical decline? What happens when theatergoers are dissatisfied by a weak performance? Will there always be another chance to convince them that this won't be repeated?

With few theaters (most of thEm Located in central Tehran) and the increasing establishment of private halls which cover their expenses from ticket sales, is attracting people into theaters considered a priority? Are packed theater halls regarded as a sign of theater's popularity in Iran?

Iranians have known success in establishing theater in the hearts and minds of people through traditional performances. Theatrical performances with their great potential to transmit concepts connect with audiences and speak of people's problems in their own language. May be this is what all need is a professional look at our heritage and collective experiences of dramatic performances."

Click here for the full story. 

The Theatre World is a ever-shrinking place.