According to Kanoon General Directorate for Public Relations and International Affairs, Mehdi Qaleh, a writer, director, and theater actor, said about her new play called "Venush and the Mountains," which is being performed at Kanoon's Theater Center: "The author of the play" Venush and the Mountains "is Shahram Karami, and this play has been published by and this play has been published by Kanoon Publications.

The most important message of "Venush and the Mountain" is honesty

He stated that the theme of the play "Venush and the Mountains" is the friendship between a lamb and a wolf cub, and said: "After befriending a lamb, the wolf cub is lost in the forest, and he helps it find its way to the farm. The wolf cub wants to go to the farm and live with the lamb, but as the story continues, it comes to the conclusion that they must live separately, like other sheep and wolves."

Qaleh considered the most important message of "Venush and the Mountains" to be honesty, adding: "There is honesty in the world of children, and ignorance and dishonesty in the world of adults. Even the children of domestic and wild animals can naturally live together and not harm each other. "Venush and the Mountains" shows that children are straightforward and honest, and that every trick and trickery exist in the world of adults."

Theater production is very difficult due to high costs

The director of the play "Venush and the Mountains" said about the work process of performing this play: We started work in February of last year and had 45 rehearsals in two months. On February 25, the review took place, and on March 27, the construction of the set and sewing of the costumes began so that the play would be ready for performance on April 13.

He stated that theater production is accompanied by many difficulties, and said: "The sentence 'If there was no love for children in theater, nothing would be produced' may be a cliché, but despite the current economic conditions, it is true. In any case, we carried out the work of the play "Venush and the Mountains" despite all the difficulties." This writer, director and theater actor, pointing out that theater production is very difficult due to the high costs of decor, makeup, costumes and music, said: "We hope that the audience will welcome the play "Venush and the Mountains" so that the fatigue of me and my other colleagues will be relieved."

Theater is the showcase of Kanoon

Qalaeh pointed out that Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children & Young Adults has declared this year as the year of developing and deepening theater, especially in the provinces, and said: "This is a very excellent work and is one of the suggestions that we previously presented to the Kanoon's CEO. Theater is produced with great difficulty, and it would be a shame if its set were to be reduced to 30 or 40 performances. It would be good if it were to tour and perform throughout Iran."

The director of the play "Venus and the Mountains" considered theater to be one of the most influential arts that can be very useful, especially for children, and said: "Anyway, the fact that Kanoon wants to develop theater throughout the country is a good thing. Considering that theater is Kanoon's showcase, Kanoon will have a bold showcase this year." Referring to the state of theater at Kanoon, he reminded them: "This situation has been different from years ago that I remember. There have been times of decline and times of better conditions. Part of it is due to the management, and the other part is because theater has had its ups and downs throughout the country."

This writer, director, and theater actor stated that fortunately, theater has existed in Kanoon for a long time, adding: "The beauty of Institute for the intellectual development of Children & Young Adults is that it has centers everywhere. Kanoon has a library, a mobile theater, and a center in every city, and it performs theater there. In fact, Kanoon provides the conditions for performing theater in cities. That is why I say that the showcase of Kanoon is theater."

Referring to the situation of children's theater in the country, he said: Theater has been neglected both in the children's and adult arenas. We do not have a university called Children's and Adolescent Theater. All artists in this field grow spontaneously through participating in domestic and foreign workshops.

Qaleh noted: The most important issue is that we must have a special university for children's and adolescent theater, and it would be good if Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults could set up a university for children's and adolescent theater within itself so that theater can grow and progress well in terms of science.

Officials should be aware of the effectiveness of theater

The director of the play "Venush and the Mountains" stated that the current conditions for children's and youth theater are good, and said: "Good theaters are being produced. Sometimes good theaters have traveled to other countries through the Kanoon Stage and have been well received."

According to this writer, director and theater actor, the most important problem of theater is that its growth is sporadic, because one director is interested and places great value on theater, while another director is not interested in theater and certainly spends less value and credibility on this field.

Qaleh stated: I think theater in Kanoon is at its peak and I must thank Kanoon's CEO for paying special attention to theater in the last one or two years. If the president, directors and officials know what an influential art form theater is, they will not neglect theater and pay attention to it.

The need for officials to support theater

The director of the play "Venush and the Mountains" stated that theater is a valuable and influential art form, and said: "I ask the officials to create conditions that will eliminate the problems and obstacles of theater and encourage more families and children to come to theater."