TEHRAN- A stage reading of Woody Allen’s play “Death” was held at Neauphle-le-Chateau Theater in Tehran on Saturday.

Morteza Sabahi was the director of the reading performance, which was based on a Persian translation by Shahram Zargar. 

The performance was held by a cast composed of Reza Tahmasebi, Tahmineh Tinafar, Dina Ghazanfarian, Helia Qasemi and Ghazaleh Ramezani. 

"Death" is a comedic play, first published in 1975 as part of Allen’s collection "Without Feathers," which also includes "God" and other short stories. The play serves as a humorous homage to Eugène Ionesco's 1959 work, "The Killer," and inspired Allen's 1991 film "Shadows and Fog."

The plot centers around Kleinman, a timid salesman who is abruptly awakened one night by a mob led by a man named Hacker. This vigilante group is determined to apprehend a serial killer known for frequently changing his methods. Hacker claims to have a comprehensive plan in place, but when Kleinman inquires about his role, each member of the group reveals that they only know their specific tasks. This secrecy is meant to keep the killer unaware of their intentions. Eventually, they leave Kleinman alone on the street to await further instructions.

As he stands guard, Kleinman encounters a doctor who expresses his interest in the case, hoping to understand the psychology of a psychopath. After their conversation, the doctor departs, leaving Kleinman to hear unsettling screams in the night. He then meets Gina and they engage in a philosophical discussion about death and the nature of life in the universe. Shortly after Gina leaves, the doctor returns but is mortally wounded by the elusive killer.

Amid the chaos, a policeman and another man discover the doctor's body. They inform Kleinman that Hacker has also been murdered, betrayed by a faction within his own mob that disagreed with his strategies. As tensions rise, both factions demand Kleinman’s allegiance, leading to a chaotic brawl.

Things take a turn when a third mob arrives, having enlisted a clairvoyant named Hans Spiro to identify the killer. In a shocking twist, Spiro declares Kleinman to be the maniac. The two factions unite to hold a mock trial, sentencing him to death. Just as Kleinman is about to be hanged, another man interrupts to announce that the real killer has been spotted, prompting the mob to hastily abandon their plans.

Left alone once more, Kleinman encounters the actual killer, who bears an uncanny resemblance to him. The killer admits to being a psychopath but claims he can easily feign sanity before fatally stabbing Kleinman. As Kleinman lies dying, the mob returns and squabbles over his lifeless body until he finally succumbs. Moments later, another member of the mob arrives with news of the killer's whereabouts, leading them to disperse yet again. Through its absurdity and dark humor, "Death" explores themes of existential dread and the chaotic nature of human behavior in the face of mortality.

SAB/