Genco Erkal's legacy becomes a musical

Actress Tülay Günal and composer-musician Yiğit Özatalay are bringing the legacy of theater artist Genco Erkal to the stage in a musical. Tülay Günal, the director and performer of the musical, stated that she is upholding Genco Erkal's memory, saying, "We will uphold his understanding of political theater, we will follow in his footsteps, and the important thing is what we can add to it."

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Cemal Reşit Rey (CRR) Concert Hall hosted a special talk titled "Nâzım, Brecht, and Genco at the Sun's Table" in memory of Genco Erkal, a significant figure in Turkish theater who recently passed away. The talk, held ahead of the musical performance scheduled for February 21 in memory of Genco Erkal, aims to shed light on the great master's artistic legacy.

Highlighting the values Genco Erkal brought to theater, Tülay Günal noted that she is preparing a text based on the plays he adapted, following in his footsteps. Günal expressed that Genco Erkal encouraged adding innovations to his legacy rather than imitating his theatrical art. Furthermore, stating that she learned a great deal from Erkal's diligence, knowledge, and understanding of political theater, and that they will keep these values alive on stage, Günal said, "We will uphold his understanding of political theater, we will follow in his footsteps, and the important thing is what we can add to it."

Günal added that the musical performance they will stage with the Dostlar Theater team on February 21 is also shaped by Genco Erkal's adaptations, and that they have formed a cast with the full contributions of the former Dostlar Theater team. She remarked, "My first directing experience is very exciting. Everything is going well right now, and I hope to complete it successfully."