Who is Mr. Schmitt?

Director: Davoud Rashidi

Playwright: Sébastien Thiéry

Translator: Hayedeh Haeri

Overview

‘Who is Mr. Schmitt?’, a play that won the 2009 Molière Award, explores the surreal unraveling of Mr. and Mrs. Gucci’s identities as they confront the profound influence of an authoritarian society on their lives. Davoud Rashidi’s directorial approach maintains a realistic design for the couple’s home, subtly revealing the absurdity of their situation. By emphasizing the comedic elements within serious moments, Rashidi exposes the underlying strain in their relationship, focusing on the irony and helplessness of their plight, while avoiding overt horror. Instead, he draws attention to the contradictions and meaninglessness of their existence under an oppressive regime.

My Insights

As an actor working with the visionary director Davoud Rashidi and experienced actors, I gained invaluable insights into storytelling, particularly how to blend comedy with realism in a serious narrative. Rashidi’s ability to seamlessly integrate humor into everyday situations and subtle tensions showed me how genuine humor arises naturally from life's routines. This experience taught me that comedy, when rooted in authenticity, can deepen the emotional impact of a performance.
In my later work as a director, such as in ‘Whispers Behind the Battle Line’, I applied these lessons by weaving humor into intense, dramatic moments. By doing so, I created relatable and human experiences that resonated with the audience, highlighting the power of comedy in revealing the deeper complexities of life.

Venues & Dates

Cast

Impact

Production