News published a critical review of the play on January 9, 2011, after four days of performances.84 The image heading the report depicted a male and female character leaning toward each other, seemingly in the throes of a precursor to a kiss.85 Fars News stated, “[this theatre company is] promoting permissiveness, vulgarisation, the normalisation of having more than one husband, the free mingling of men and women and the use of symbols of a pervert sect known for sexual slavery and freemasonry.” In addition, Kayhan wrote a brief article in which Vahid Rahbani, the director of Hedda Gabler was said to be “against Islamic values” and “affiliated with the CIA.”86 These very public criticisms against the play were so harsh that the Minister of Culture was cornered into denouncing libel of this level. However, his efforts were futile, as Dolatabadi reported shortly thereafter that a legal case had been filed against the director and the crew of the banned play summonsing them to court to defend accusations of acting against the regime.87 Although this was not the first time that a play had been banned, the conservatives have been less successful in removing productions from the stage so quickly in the past. The severity of the public criticisms clearly shows the turbulent times of this recent state 84. Fars, "Promoting Sexual Deviance in Theatres," Fars News Agency, January 9, 2011, http://www.farsnews.net/newstext.php?nn=8910191096. 85. A series of pictures of a performance of Hedda Gabler taken by Ehsan Rafati are available online at http://payvand.com/blog/blog/2011/01/12/photosthe-play-hedda-gabler-in-tehrans-city-hall-theatre-stopped-for-moral-review/. The pictures show how the theatre company skirt the restrictions of the Islamic government by using female actresses to play both the male and female lead roles. 86. Fars, "CIA›s Gift for Theatre," Fars News Agency, January 16, 2011, http:// www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8910261117. 87. RadioFarda, "Director and Crew of Hedda Gabler at Court," Radio Farda Website, January 13, 2011, http://www.radiofarda.com/content/o2_iranian_ authorities_suspended_atheatre/2274505.html.
Cultural Censorship in Iran
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