MHP-run municipality blocks play titled 'Manukyan': 'I have experienced something like this for the first time'
The play 'Manukyan', which presents a slice of the life of Matild Manukyan, known as a brothel madam, was cancelled by the Alanya Municipality. The play's author, Bahar Hacıbektaşoğlu, said, "I have been performing this play for 10 years, and this is the first time I have experienced something like this. Pressure was applied to me. They tried very hard not to have the play cancelled."
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The play, which focuses on the life of Matild Manukyan and was scheduled to be staged on February 19, was targeted by circles close to the government one day before its performance in Alanya.
It was subsequently cancelled by the MHP-run municipality without any justification provided.
Speaking about the cancellation and censorship, Bahar Hacıbektaşoğlu said, "Of course, those who want to block it think they have won, but they have not won. Ultimately, I continue to perform the play."
The one-person, one-act play 'Manukyan' focuses on the life of Matild Manukyan, a brothel madam who was declared a tax record-holder 6 times, during the hour before her death; it covers her entire life and her confrontation with God.
The play, for which journalist Oğuzhan Toracı undertook the project design, was written by Bahar Hacıbektaşoğlu.
'PRESSURE WAS APPLIED'
The play's author and actress, Bahar Hacıbektaşoğlu, spoke to Hazal Sipahi on T24's Ayrık Otu program. Hacıbektaşoğlu said the following regarding the cancellation of the play:
"The tickets for the play went on sale a long time ago, and the venue was allocated. In fact, the tickets were about to sell out when, in the last three days, pressure was applied to the Alanya Municipality by the Alanya Solidarity Platform.
What they want to convey is already written in the news report by Yeni Akit. Çetin Bey, who was organizing the event, also tried to prevent this; that is, he tried very hard not to have the play cancelled. Of course, those who want to block it won; they think they have won, but they have not won. Ultimately, I continue to perform the play."