Iranian Nights

Synopsis

Tehran and London, 1989. A world where the echoes of literary rebellion clash with the roar of political condemnation.

Iranian Nights is a provocative response to the fatwa issued against Salman Rushdie following the publication of his novel, The Satanic Verses. Written in just five days, the play captures the urgency and fervor of the moment. The narrative intertwines two stories: one set in Iran, where a cleric decrees death for a writer accused of blasphemy, and another in London, where immigrants grapple with rising fundamentalism and racism. The play draws inspiration from the One Thousand and One Nights, using its storytelling tradition to weave a tapestry of resistance against censorship and oppression.

Brenton and Ali’s script is a bold defense of free speech and a critique of both Western and Eastern political extremism. Through satirical humour and sharp dialogue, the play examines the complex layers of cultural and religious identity, highlighting the plight of individuals caught in the crossfire of ideological battles. The production attracted significant attention, not only for its timely subject matter but also for its ability to provoke meaningful debate about the nature of free expression and the perils of authoritarianism.