Peter Shaffer’s acclaimed one-act farce Black Comedy is now being performed at Homa Theater in Tehran. Director Hossein Omidi leads the 90-minute theatrical production while also performing as part of the main cast. Furthermore, actors Faraz Sarabi, Soudeh Sadaei, Mojdeh Mohammadi, and Amirhossein Taheri join Omidi on stage during the performances. Additionally, Mojtaba Rajabi Memar, Minoo Azarmgin, and Salar Barzegar complete the ensemble cast for the production.
The story centers on Brindsley Miller, a struggling young sculptor attempting to impress his fiancée’s wealthy father. Furthermore, the protagonist hopes to sell his sculptures to an influential millionaire art collector who is due to visit. To create an impression of luxury, Miller and his fiancée secretly borrow expensive furniture from a neighbor’s home. However, their elaborate deception quickly unravels when a blown fuse suddenly plunges the entire apartment into darkness.
The production relies on a famous reverse-lighting technique inspired by traditional Chinese theater. While the audience sees the stage fully illuminated, the actors pretend to navigate through complete darkness. Consequently, when characters strike matches, the production team dims the stage lights to reflect their limited visibility. Conversely, whenever characters switch on lamps, the technical crew turns off the stage lighting completely.
Playwright Sir Peter Shaffer gained international acclaim for celebrated works including Equus and the award-winning Amadeus. Throughout his career, the British writer received Tony Awards as well as an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Currently, theater enthusiasts in Tehran can attend evening performances at the central venue through late October. The production combines classic farce with an innovative lighting technique that remains central to the play’s theatrical appeal.