Mohsen is known for being in the play Phaedra at the National Theatre, directed by Simon Stone, where he worked under Simon’s direction alongside an extraordinary cast that included Janet McTeer, Assaad Bouab, Paul Chahidi, Mackenzie Davis and John MacMillan. During the pandemic, he performed as Bottom and Egeus in the Australian Shakespeare Company’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Kew Gardens in London. Fully trilingual in English, Farsi and Dari, British-Iranian Mohsen also performs using all three languages.
Mohsen, can you tell us about the beginnings of your acting career?
I started my acting career in Iran, working in theatre productions. However, when I moved to London in 2010, everything changed. I didn’t speak a word of English, but I was determined to break into the UK theatre scene and work with companies here. I sent emails to over 120 different theatre companies and individuals, asking for an opportunity. Unsurprisingly, no one responded. Looking back now, I can’t blame them—I had no idea what I’d written in those emails! (laughs) My English was so bad that even I couldn’t understand what I was asking for! But then, out of the blue, the Almeida Theatre replied. They invited me to join the Young Friends of the Almeida scheme, and I was over the moon. I attended countless drama workshops there, and for a long time, the Almeida became my second home—or at least my theatrical home. I loved being there and learned so much, for which I’m deeply grateful.
Who inspired you to become an actor?
Growing up in Iran, I was captivated by Hollywood movies. Icons like Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro were my first inspirations to become an actor. But honestly, I think I was equally influenced by those who discouraged me from pursuing acting—especially my parents. I remember a family friend, who was an actor and director, once told my father never to encourage me to pursue acting. He said the film and theatre industry was unstable and not worth the effort. I responded by asking, “If it’s not worth pursuing, why does he keep working in it?” (Laughs) And here I am today, working as an actor myself—and I absolutely love what I do. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
What would you say is your best project to date, and why?
Oh, that’s a tough one. I’ve enjoyed working on every project so far, with every individual and company I’ve collaborated with. But if I had to choose, I’d say last year’s production of Phaedra at the National Theatre, directed by Simon Stone, stands out. Working under Simon’s direction, alongside such an extraordinary cast, was a dream come true. Simon’s approach to the art of theatre-making transformed me as an actor, and that experience is something I will always cherish.
Do you have any behind-the-scenes stories to share?
During the pandemic, I performed as Bottom and Egeus in the Australian Shakespeare Company’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Kew Gardens in London. It was an outdoor show, and we had a tent backstage where we could change. One night, as I was changing, a woman came into the tent and asked if she could speak with me. I laughed and said, “Of course, but let me finish getting dressed first!” (Laughs) When I came out, she was in tears. She told me that she hadn’t laughed in nearly two years because of the pandemic and the trauma it had brought. But my performance made her laugh so much that it lifted that heavy cloud for her. I was incredibly moved by her words, and it was a moment I’ll never forget. It reminded me of why theatre is so vital and why I do what I do.
You’ve worked on a few TV projects—how does TV acting differ from other work?
The main difference is the scale of the performance and how we as actors use our bodies and voices. Obviously, in theatre, more or less everything needs to be larger than life to reach the audience, while in TV or film, the camera does much of the work for you. You can be more subtle. But ultimately, what matters most to me is that we are telling a story, whether it’s on stage or screen. The scale may change, but the essence of the job remains the same.
Mohsen will star as Destan in the world premiere of Ostan, a new play by Arzhang Pezhman, directed by Gaby Dellal. The production will debut at the Park Theatre in London, running from September 18th to October 12th. For more details, visit [parktheatre.co.uk/event/ostan/](https://parktheatre.co.uk/event/ostan/).
