The acclaimed Iranian theatrical performance Macbeth of Zar will represent Iran at the Carthage Theater Days in Tunisia.Directed by Ebrahim Poshtkuhi, the play offers a culturally distinct adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classical tragedy.Members of the Titovak Theater Troupe will showcase the production during the festival in November. Consequently, this international appearance highlights how Iranian theatrical directors fuse classical Western literature with regional spiritual customs.
The production reimagines the traditional Scottish story within the coastal setting of Hormuz Island. Poshtkuhi creatively weaves Shakespeare’s central narrative together with the ancient Zar ritual of southern Iran. Furthermore, the performance incorporates various international theatrical influences, including Japanese Kabuki, Butoh, and commedia dell’arte. In this version, General Macbeth seeks leadership over a traditional Zar ritual group known as ahl-e hava. Consequently, the performance transforms the classic exploration of guilt and ambition into a visually striking ritualistic spectacle.
Historical accounts indicate that African communities originally brought the Zar ritual to southern coastal regions of Iran.Over generations, local communities embraced these expressive musical practices, incorporating traditional percussion instruments like the dammam. Today, spiritual leaders called babazaris guide these expressive group dances to foster community healing. By embedding Shakespeare’s narrative within these rich local traditions, Poshtkuhi establishes a unique cross-cultural dialogue.
Before securing this invitation to North Africa, the production toured extensively across Europe and the Middle East. The performance earned prestigious accolades during previous appearances at international theater festivals in Russia and Iraq. Additionally, composer Behrang Abbasi received critical recognition for creating the play’s original musical score.Moving forward, this showcase at the Carthage Theater Days will further elevate Iranian theatrical art on the global stage.