Details

Based on actual events, Haram Iran is the story of two boys coming of age, and struggling with their identities as Arab Iranians, and as typical teenagers longing to discover their place in the world. Ayaz Marhouni and Mahmoud Asgari, who may have been gay or may have been experimenting with their sexuality like many teenagers do, however, get caught in a compromised position, publicly humiliated and tried in the Iranian legal system. The story follows the boys' passions, one for literature and the other for sports and both for each other. The play takes the audience into the complexity of their relationship, and then the horrifying ordeal of being tried by an unforgiving Iranian legal system. Although the show is inspired by actual events of the trial of two Iranian teenagers in Mashad, Iran in 2005, some scenes are fictionalised since it is not known exactly what occurred during the trial.

Cast/Performers

Viraj Juneja (Ayaz), Merch Husey (Fareed), Silvana Maimone (Mrs Marhouni), Fanox Xenofos (Jailer), George Savvides (Judge), Sanjiv Hayre (Lawyer)

Creatives/Company

Author: Jay Paul Deratany
Producer: Peter Bull (for Above the Stag Theatre)
Director(s): Gene David Kirk, Rhian Davies (casting)
Design: David Shields
Lighting: Phil Hewitt
Sound: Phil Hewitt
Costume: Ellen Sussams
Other: Andrew Beckett (production manager)
Stage Manager: Lucas Livesey