Oliver Twist
Director: Hossein Parsaei
Based on the Novel by: Charles Dickens
Music by: Lionel Bart
Conductor: Bardia Kiaras
Overview
This production of ‘Oliver Twist’ represents a groundbreaking moment in Iranian theatre, being one of the first musicals to feature female singing and dancing after a 40-year restriction. The performance combines light, dance, song, and orchestration to tell Oliver’s story while symbolizing a larger cultural movement: the revival of musical theatre in Iran. Through Oliver's pursuit of a better future, the production also reflects the collective hope of reconnecting Tehran’s theatre scene with the depth and emotion that music brings.
My Insights
As the artistic consultant, I worked closely with the team to adapt Dickens’ beloved story into a musical that resonates emotionally with contemporary audiences. My focus was on staying true to the character dynamics and themes of the original work while seamlessly blending these with musical elements. This experience deepened my understanding of musical theatre and its power to evoke emotion, shaping my approach to future projects such as ‘The Brothers Karamazov’.
Venues & Dates
- Vahdat Hall – November 2017 to February 2018
- Fadjr International Theatre Festival (FITF), Tehran, Iran – Featured in the 36th International Category – January 2018
Cast
- Atila Pesyani
- Amir Kaveh Ahaninjan
- Darioush Movafagh
- Hootan Shakiba
- Saeed Changizian
- Navid Mohammadzadeh
- Mahnaz Afshar
Creative Team
- Art Consultants: Ashkan Kheilnejad, Babak Chamanara
- Text Dramaturge: Mohammadreza Koohestani
- Choreographer: Ali Barati
- Set Designer: Soheil Danesh Eshraghi
- Costume Designer: Shima Mirhamidi
- Lighting Designer: Morteza Najafi
- Make-up Artist: Sara Eskandari
- Poster and Brochure Designer: Soheil Danesh Eshraghi
- Photographer: Mohammad Sadegh Zarjooyan
- Media Consultant and Public Relations Manager: Leila Afshar
- Media and Virtual Marketing: Sarah Haddadi
- Assistant Director: Ahmad Soleymanifar
- Executive Director: Nima Sayyari
- Executive Assistants: Shaghayegh Kafili, Sahar Sotoodeh
- Stage Managers: Masoud Parsaei Ara, Ali Mastali
Duration
120 Minutes
Impact
- Number of Performances: 80
- Audience Attendance: Approximately 55,000
Production
- Project Executives: Mohammad Ghods and Meysam Ahmadi
- Producer: Harir Honar Sharq Institute