Swiss Director’ Biggest Wish Fulfilled

Helbling continued: “I knew about Iran by a neighbor and close friend who is an Iranian artist, therefore I got interested in this country and I suggested working in collaboration with an Iranian theatre troupe. With the help of Aidin Aali- Nejad, a young Iranian Dramaturge, and by watching a film about stage theatre and other works in Iran, I gathered some information and finally I was introduced to “Don Quixote” theatre group.”
He explained that after being introduced to this troupe, the idea of exchanging the notions of each country’s mythical figure suddenly sprang to their mind, and added: “This was a brilliant idea and both groups decided to know more about the legends and myths of each county. Afterwards, the style and the way of performance were discussed.”
“What I like the most about this country’s drama is their ‘Ta’zieh’ and I have found it very amusing. This traditional way of performance is also used in the country’s contemporary theatre. Besides I am aware of the fact that Iran has various forms of drama”, said Helbling expressing his superficial knowledge of Iran’s drama, while believing that the history of this theatre is tremendously valuable.
Born in 1959, Niklaus Helbling has studied German language and history at Zurich University before leaving Zurich to Hamburg. From 1988 to 1998, he had cooperated as a Dramaturge with directors such as Ruth Borgios, Gorgen Flame, Catherina Kalbach, and Robert Wilson at Thalia Theatre Group in Hamburg. Since 1999, he has staged performances in many cities including Bochum, Vienna, Frankfurt, Zurich, Salzberg. 
“Don Qxuiote” has worked on the Swiss legend “Wilhelm Tell” in the first episode of “Tell/Zahhak”, and will bring their own method and perspective on this legendry fighter on the stage. Nasim Ahmadpour as the playwright and dramaturge and Ali Asgar-Dashti as the director are working together in the first part of the play called “Tell”.
“Mass & Feiber” will stage the Iranian mythical figure based on a story from Shahnameh, the magnum opus by Ferdowsi (an old Persian poet) in the second part of the play “Zahhak” by Bridget Heilbling as the playwright and Niklaus Helbling as the director, and with dramaturge Aidin Aali-Nejad.
Among members of the cast are Ramin Sayar Dashti, Farbod Farhang, Mina Doroudian, Arash Bozorg-Zadeh, Abbas Habibi, David Berger, Dominique Müller, Mareike Sedl, Nicole Steiner and Silvester von Hosslin.
The play was staged in 2012, in summer in Atldorf with 10 performances, and Spektakl Festival with 3 performances as a joint project in Switzerland.
“Tell/Zahhak” is going to be on stage on Wednesday and Thursday, January 24 & 25 at Samandarian Hall of Iranshahr Theatre during 31st Fadjr Theatre Festival.