DUSHANBE, March 20, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik culture authorities have reportedly prohibited the performance “Insanity. 93” by known Tajik stage director Barzou Abdurazzoqov as allegedly having “revolutionary character.”

An opening night of the performance based on history of life of political theorist and scientist better known as a radical journalist and politician from the French Revolution Jean-Paul Marat and raising social problems was held at the Russian Academic Drama Theatre named after Vladimir Mayakovsky in Dushanbe on March 17 and the performance delighted the audience.

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus Barzou Abdurazzoqov said that the performance based on “93” by Victor Hugo and “The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat” by German playwright Peter Ulrich Weiss told revolutionary events of the 18th century in France.

“The opening night was very successful and the performance was supposed to be shown within the next tend days.  However, officials from the Ministry of Culture who also attended the performance unofficially banned further demonstration of the performance,” said Abdurazzoqov, “They justified that by saying that the performance allegedly has revolutionary character.”

In the meantime, people who came next day to watch the performance saw an announcement noting that the performance is canceled for uncertain period as leading character fell ill.

Representatives from the Ministry of Culture refrained from giving any comments on this subject.