TEHRAN-Iranian director Mojtaba Jeddi will stage an adaptation of British playwright Martin Crimp’s play “When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other” at Entezami Hall of the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) next week. 

Khatereh Kordkarimi is the translator of the play, which will remain on stage for a month. 

"When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other" explores themes of power, violence, and sexuality through a series of fragmented, non-linear scenes. The play centers around a couple, identified only as "Man" and "Woman," who engage in sadomasochistic role play as a means of both escape and confrontation. 

Over the course of the play, their relationship becomes increasingly violent and unpredictable, as they push each other to the brink of their limits and blur the lines between reality and fantasy. The play also includes a cast of supporting characters, including a group of onlookers who observe and comment on the couple's behavior, as well as an enigmatic figure named "The Visitor" who disrupts the couple's dynamic and raises questions about the nature of their relationship. 

Through its complex characterizations, "When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other" challenges the audience to consider the ways in which power shape human behavior and relationships.

Martin Crimp is a highly acclaimed British playwright known for his unique and provocative approach to theater. Born in 1956, Crimp first gained recognition in the 1980s with plays like "No One Sees the Video" and "Made in Heaven." He has since established himself as a leading figure in contemporary theater, captivating audiences with his innovative storytelling and challenging themes. 

Crimp's plays often subvert traditional narrative structures and language, pushing the boundaries of conventional theatrical form. His works explore complex ideas such as power dynamics, violence, and abuse, often through a fragmented and non-linear approach. Crimp's use of unsettling and poetic dialogue creates a sense of disquiet and unease, deliberately confronting audiences with uncomfortable truths about society and the human condition.

In addition to his plays, Crimp has also worked as a translator and adaptor, bringing the works of other playwrights, such as Molière and Anton Chekhov, to the stage. His translations and adaptations maintain his distinct voice and style, infusing classic texts with a contemporary sensibility. Crimp's work continues to be performed internationally, earning him numerous awards and critical acclaim for his bold and provocative contributions to the theater world.

Photo: Iranian director Mojtaba Jeddi in an undated photo

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