Iranian director and critic Ali Shams is set to stage his latest production From Khutai Namak in collaboration with Italian actors in several cities across Italy.

The play is based on the story of Rostam and Esfandiar, two legendary heroes in the Persian epic poet Ferdowsi's magnum opus, Shahnameh (the Book of Kings). 

According to the organizers of the event, the play presents a combination of Iranian and Italian theatrical elements. 

The drama, authored by Shams, also seeks to find a common understanding on the concept of myth in Iranian and Italian cultures. 

From Khutai Namak will be staged from June 18 until 20 in Rome and later in Florence. 

A classic among epic Persian poetry, Shahnameh recounts Iran's mythical and historical past. It was written in Persian at a time when Arabic was the main scientific and literary language of Iran. 

The romance of Zal and Rudaba, the Seven Stages (or Labors) of Rostam, the tales of Rostam and Sohrab, etc are among the most popular Shahnameh stories.