TEHRAN-The play “Misery” directed by Pouya Saeidi will be performed at Iranshahr Theater in Tehran from May 14.

It is an adaptation of Stephen Belber’s 1999 play “Tape” in which Kazem Sayahi, Mojtaba Pirzadeh, and Setareh Pesyani perform, ISNA reported.

The story is about two best friends from high school—Jon and Vince—who reunite ten years later at a motel in Michigan. Throughout an evening, Vince pressures Jon to admit that he date-raped Amy Randall, a girl they both dated in high school, only then to reveal that he has recorded their entire conversation. 

Vince then uses the tape to force Jon to personally apologize to Amy that evening, after inviting her to join them for dinner. Differing memories of the event collide, and the complexities and social pressures of the relationships are revisited, in a final confrontation in which Jon, Amy, and Vince argue over the truth of what happened that night.

It follows classical unities of action, time, and space, featuring three characters in a single plot regarding their differing perspectives of past events, in one unbroken period of real-time, in a single motel room set.

The play sparks discussions about consent, power dynamics, and sexual assault. These performances are designed to challenge individuals and communities to examine their own core values and pursue positive action.

This is pop psychology speculation, but the fact is that any part of personal history that is sought to be erased could have long-term repercussions. But then, as the great Kurosawa film “Rashomon,” so eloquently conveyed, the same event can be interpreted and remembered differently by the people concerned.

All this is a lot to pack in a 100-minute play, tempered with dark humor, and full credit to the playwright for this twisty text with realistic dialogue.

Interestingly, “Tape” was turned into a film by none other than Richard Linklater, with Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Robert Sean Leonard—a lot more claustrophobic than the play, because on stage all action taking place in a single room is acceptable.

Released in 2001, “Tape” is a micro-budget film shot on digital video – it looks like Linklater went out and bought a camcorder at Best Buy and decided to shoot a movie.  It takes place in a single hotel room.  There are three characters.  It’s a simple set-up, with not much in the way of what mainstream viewers would call “action.”  Like many of the films in Linklater’s oeuvre, most notably the “Before Sunrise”/”Before Sunset” duology, this is a film that relies first and foremost on dialogue.

Stephen Belber, 57, is an American playwright, screenwriter and film director. His plays have been produced on Broadway and in over 50 countries. 

The Persian adaptation will remain on stage until June 21 at Iranshahr Theater located in Artists Park on North Mousavi Street, Taleqani Street.

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