TEHRAN- Sahne-ye Abi Cultural and Artistic Center in Tehran will be playing host to reading performances of French writer and actor Sebastien Thiery’s play “Who’s Mr. Schmitt?” (Qui est Monsieur Schmitt?).

The performances will take place on Thursday and Friday and will be directed by Alireza Aboutalebi. 

The cast will include Noura Moqaddam, Viona Mohebbi, Arash Jafari, Saniar Zare, Arman Jalilpour and Diana Khodadad. 

In the comedic play "Who’s Mr. Schmitt?", Mr. and Mrs. Belier are enjoying an uneventful dinner in their dining room when their evening is abruptly interrupted by the ringing of a phone. To their astonishment, they realize that they have no active phone service. The caller, however, is persistent, requesting to speak with a certain Mr. Schmitt. As the couple grapples with this bewildering situation, they make an even stranger discovery: the decor of their apartment has inexplicably changed. The artwork on the walls, the books lining their shelves, and even the clothing scattered around do not belong to them.

This unsettling revelation leads Mr. and Mrs. Belier to consider the possibility that they might have accidentally assumed the identities of Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt, yet they remain oblivious to this mysterious transformation. The play masterfully blends elements of confusion and absurdity, creating a whirlwind of humor as the Belier couple navigates this surreal predicament. Amid the chaos, they must confront the implications of their unexpected identity crisis and the consequences of their situation.

“Who’s Mr. Schmitt?” has captivated audiences with its sharp wit and vibrant humor, earning a notable reputation in Paris theater. Its clever writing and engaging plot have resonated with viewers, leading to its nomination for the Best Comedy at the Molieres in 2010. The play’s compelling exploration of identity, perception, and the absurdity of everyday life invites audiences to reflect on the nature of self and belonging, all while delivering laughs through its outrageous scenarios and outlandish developments. Ultimately, the Belier's hilarious journey keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, wondering how far the chaos will unfold and whether they will ever uncover the truth behind Mr. Schmitt.
 
Sebastien Thiery trained at the Cours Florent and the Conservatoire Superieur d’Art Dramatique in Paris before appearing in films directed by notable filmmakers like Bertrand Tavernier, Gerard Jugnot, and Alain Chabat, as well as in TV films by Josee Dayan and Laurent Heynemann.

At 30, he began writing for the theater, debuting with "Sans ascenseur," directed by Jean-Michel Ribes at the Théâtre du Rond-Point in 2005. He often performs in his own works, including "La Fâche," also at the Rond-Point, and "Dieu habite Düsseldorf" in 2006 at the Théâtre des Mathurins. Thiery has written around 300 episodes for the Canal+ series "Chez maman," where he also acts, alongside his hidden camera project "La Vie de Sebastien Thiery."

In 2007, he returned to theater with "Piggy Bank," which won the Prix Barrière and two Molieres in 2009. His play "Who’s Mr. Schmitt?" premiered in 2009, directed by José Paul. He continued to work in various theater productions, including "Falling from the trees" in 2012 and "L’Origine du Monde" in 2013. His recent works include "Two Stark Naked Men" in 2014, "Momo" in 2015, "Ramses II" and "Eight Euros An Hour" in 2017, and "Demain la revanche" and "Video Club" in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

SAB/