TEHRAN –An adaptation of South African playwright Athol Fugard’s short play “A Place with the Pigs” will go on stage at Tehran's Shahrzad Theater Complex on Wednesday.  

Translated by Houshang Hesami, Amir Sina Javadi is the director of the play, which has been renamed “A Man, A Pig”. 

Samira Hosseini and Mohsen Javadi are the main members of the cast for the play, which will remain on stage until December 14.

Based on an absurd but true story, the play is about a Russian soldier who deserted during World War II and spent ten years hiding in his pigsty. 

As the play begins, Pavel Ivanovitch is preparing to rejoin the world and throw himself on the mercy of his countrymen, but his wife has used his old uniform for rags and he refuses to wear the suit she has pressed. 

Instead, she goes alone to the ceremony to unveil a monument to the war dead and returns reporting that the townspeople wept at the mention of him and his martyr's death fighting fascism.

Also, a local bigwig proposed to her now that she is officially a widow. What should she do? Will Pavel Ivanovitch ever be able to leave the pigsty, or is it his only safe haven?

Athol Fugard is a South African playwright, novelist, and actor who is renowned for his political and socially conscious works. Born in 1932, Fugard grew up in an environment that was heavily influenced by apartheid, and this inspired him to become involved in the fight against the racial segregation that was rampant in South Africa at the time.

In 1961, he wrote his first play, "No Good Friday," which explored the plight of black South Africans living under the apartheid regime. This play was followed by several other plays, including "Blood Knot," "Boesman and Lena," and "Master Harold and the Boys."

Fugard's plays and writing have received widespread acclaim and have been translated into several languages. He has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. In addition to his writing, Fugard has also been involved in various social and political causes, including the fight against apartheid and the promotion of human rights in South Africa.

Today, Fugard is regarded as one of the most important voices in contemporary theater, and his works continue to be performed and studied around the world. His ability to combine social commentary with poetic beauty and compelling storytelling has made his works timeless and relevant, even in today's world.

SAB/