Iranian director reinvents 'King Lear' with rock music and modern spectacle

Bold adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy in Tehran blends rock, lights, and drama to connect with younger audiences.

An actress performs in a production of William Shakespeare's "King Lear," directed by Iranian actress and director Elika Abdolrazzaghi, at Shahr Theatre in Tehran on May 21, 2025. Photo by Atta Kenare/AFP

By Hayu Andini and Anna Fadiah

An Iranian director is reshaping the timeless tragedy of King Lear for modern audiences, bringing Shakespeare’s classic to the Tehran stage with a bold, high-energy twist. Infusing the production with rock music and vivid stage effects, the adaptation aims to appeal to a new generation while navigating the tightrope of cultural censorship in Iran.

The project is led by Elika Abdolrazzaghi, a well-known actress and theatre artist, who has chosen to reinterpret the play using contemporary artistic tools. Her direction of King Lear is not only daring but also emblematic of the evolving landscape of Iranian performing arts. The effort illustrates how Iranian creatives continue to find innovative ways to express themselves, even within a tightly controlled cultural environment.

Abdolrazzaghi’s King Lear is far from a purist rendition. The director, who is 45 and has long been involved in theatre, said she wanted to avoid creating a performance that felt too heavy or inaccessible.

“If I had staged the original version, it would have been too heavy for people — they would have been bored,” she told AFP in an interview. “I had to think about how to make it resonate with today’s audience.”

Modern sounds and spectacular visuals breathe new life into the play

To ensure the production connects with younger Iranians, Abdolrazzaghi has drawn on unconventional elements for Shakespearean theatre. She has integrated music from internationally renowned rock bands such as Muse and Rammstein, whose thunderous sounds inject a modern energy into the scenes. The play is also supported by a sophisticated light show and colorful, ornate costumes that contrast starkly with the bleakness of Lear’s descent into madness.

This vibrant presentation is central to the Iranian director’s reinvention of King Lear. While the story remains intact — with its grim themes of familial betrayal, power struggles, and moral decline — the visual and auditory enhancements reshape the mood into something more immersive and electrifying.

"I transformed many word-heavy sections of the play into movement, imagery, music, and dance," Abdolrazzaghi explained. "The play had to be felt, not just heard."

Navigating restrictions with creativity

Artists in Iran operate under state-imposed restrictions and censorship that limit their creative freedoms. Any content deemed inappropriate by the authorities risks being banned from public presentation. Despite these challenges, King Lear was greenlit for performance — a testament to how international literary classics continue to find room in Iran’s cultural scene.

According to Abdolrazzaghi, the Iranian authorities have not imposed any restrictions on the staging of foreign works in this instance. "There are no restrictions on staging foreign plays," she stated, emphasizing the importance of global dialogue through theatre.

The director is also part of a growing number of women leading major theatrical projects in Iran. While many women direct plays across the country, few have achieved the level of recognition Abdolrazzaghi has reached. Her prominence adds another layer of significance to this production — a celebration of both artistic innovation and the increasing visibility of women in Iranian theatre.

Audience reaction signals success

The show has received enthusiastic feedback from Tehran’s theatre-goers, many of whom were not expecting to enjoy a two-hour Shakespeare production. One attendee, a 32-year-old engineer named Amin, admitted he had low expectations before seeing the performance with his wife, Elham.

"We didn't think we could sit through a two-hour play," Amin said. "But it was really good — from the actors' performances to the music and set design."

Abdolrazzaghi’s team includes around 100 people, with dozens of actors and a significant production crew. Reza Yazdani, a well-known figure in Iran’s rock scene, performs original songs live on stage, sung in Persian, bringing an added dimension to the drama.

The actors wear elaborately designed costumes in striking hues of red, green, and yellow, reminiscent of 17th-century European fashion — a nod to the play’s original setting but filtered through a Persian visual sensibility.

A universal tale with local resonance

The enduring power of King Lear is evident in how deeply it resonates across cultures. In Iran, where political instability and social issues often mirror the themes of power, justice, and betrayal found in Shakespeare’s work, Lear finds fertile ground.

Lead actor Ahmad Saatchian, a stage veteran with more than 20 years of experience, describes his role as the culmination of a lifetime in theatre. “Portraying one of the most important characters in literary history is a rare opportunity for an actor,” he said.

He added that tragedies like King Lear are universally relevant, which explains why the play continues to be staged around the world — including in countries like Iran, where theatre is a relatively young but vibrant art form.

“Theatre is essentially a Western phenomenon and remains a young art form in Iran,” Abdolrazzaghi acknowledged. Still, its ability to reflect societal dynamics makes it a potent medium for dialogue, especially in societies that have experienced conflict, censorship, and rapid social change.

“Countries that have experienced similar political dynamics — like Iran or those in Eastern Europe — tend to connect deeply with Shakespeare’s work,” Saatchian observed.

Lear's final message lingers long after curtain call

In the climactic moments of the play, a broken and grieving Lear calls on those in power to understand the suffering of the poor, pleading for empathy and justice. It’s a line that transcends time and borders, offering a critique of power that is as relevant today in Tehran as it was in Elizabethan England.

"In one scene, Lear calls on those in power to expose themselves to the suffering of the poor in order to build a more just world," said Saatchian. "That's a message that resonates everywhere."

By merging Shakespeare’s vision with modern music, Persian language, and visually rich storytelling, this Iranian director has successfully reinvented King Lear for her time and place. The result is a performance that not only entertains but also inspires — a rare achievement in any theatre tradition.

As Tehran’s theatre scene continues to evolve, productions like this one stand as proof that classic stories, when retold with imagination and courage, can still move modern audiences.

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