Haram Iran

Above The Stag have got an exciting new European premiere coming up on 5th April, in the form of a challenging and emotional new production. 

 


Based on real life events, Haram Iran is a coming-of-age drama focusing on two boys gorwing up as Arab-Iranians. As well as struggling with a volatile sociopolitical milieu, Ayaz and Mahmoud face further challenges when caught in a compromising romantic situation.

It’s unclear whether they’re gay or just experimenting as many teenage boys do, but they’re put through Iran’s legal system regardless, an establishment that’s still shockingly medieval with regards to laws on homosexuality. Not only that, they’re subjected to scrutiny and public humiliation.

It’s inspired by a real trial that two Iranian teenagers went through in Mashad, Iran, in 2005. As well as their legal trials though, the story of the play looks into the softer, more human aspects of the boys’ personalities, like their personal passions, one for sports and the other for literature.

“They’re put through Iran’s legal system regardless, an establishment that’s still shockingly medieval with regards to laws on homosexuality.”

Meaningfully, Above The Stag have partenered with Amnesty International, and writer Jay Paul Deratany is donating all his royalty fees from the play to them and other LGBT charities. It’s directed by Gene David Kirk, who brought Sum of Us to Above The Stag and Closer to Heaven to Union Theatre last year.

On Wednesday 20th April there is a special post-show Q&A with the writer, director and cast, as well as a representative from Amnesty International.

 

• For tickets and more info, go to www.abovethestag.com

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