Shakespeare play in Turkish in London

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Turkish actors perform Shakespeare’s ‘Anthony and Cleopatra’ three times over the course of the weekend. AA photo

The actors of Oyun Atölyesi have taken the stage at the World Shakespeare Festival in London performing “Anthony and Cleopatra” in Turkish. Stage and screen veteran Haluk Bilginer’s theater group performed its “Antony and Cleopatra” in Turkish over the weekend at London’s Globe Theater.

Zerrin Tekindor played the character of Cleopatra, while Haluk Bilginer played Anthony. Emre Karayel played Pompeius and Mert Fırat played Ceasar.

The actors performed the play three times over the course of the weekend. The first play took place on May 26, while the other were performed on May 27.

The 1,500 people capacity Globe Theater stage was witnessing a Turkish language play for the very first time.

Speaking to journalists during the press conference, Haluk Bilginer said: “It is very exciting to play on this stage. We are taking a role in a play of the most important playwright on the most important theater stage.”

Noting that the aura and the atmosphere of the Globe was unique, Bilginer said: “This is a different feeling. It does not feel like anywhere else.”

The director of the play, Kemal Aydoğan, said: “it is very exciting to have this play here on this stage.” Noting that she had visited London as a tourist before, Tekindor said: “This time I am here to stage a play.”

Speaking after the actors, the festival’s manager, Tom Bird, said this was a unique performance. The reason that the festival staged three plays in Turkish was that there are lots of Turkish people living in Britain.

Produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, in collaboration with leading UK and international arts organizations, this festival is the biggest celebration of Shakespeare ever staged.

Almost 60 partners gathered to bring the festival alive. Thousands of artists from around the world are taking part in almost 70 productions, as well as supporting events and exhibitions, right across the UK, including London, Stratford-upon-Avon, Newcastle/Gateshead, Birmingham, Wales and Scotland and online.

The festival will run until November.