Over four decades, Marzban staged ten major plays by Akbar Radi, including some of the playwright’s most iconic works. Each production was received as a major theatrical event, drawing attention from critics, students, and fellow directors. These interpretations helped maintain Radi’s status as a central figure in Iranian drama, especially at moments when social conditions limited the production of contemporary plays.
Marzban understood Radi not merely as a playwright but as a living chronicler of Iranian society. Through his staging, he offered audiences a mirror to their own world—its anxieties, contradictions, and delicate hopes.
Directorial Philosophy and Artistic Vision
Marzban’s approach to theater can be summarized through several key principles.
1. The Centrality of the Actor
He believed the actor was the soul of theater. Scenic design, lighting, and sound were valuable tools, but the actor’s presence remained paramount.
