Istanbul State Theater begins its new season

 The Istanbul State Theater (İDT) will bring beloved plays to art lovers in the 2024-2025 season. Istanbul State Theaters Director and actor Mehmet Fatih Dokgöz explained the new season program, which ranges from local and foreign classics to musical plays, and from new scripts to contemporary works, in a statement.

Stating that the State Theaters have entered the new season very strongly with a rich list and that the İDT has also made a good start, Dokgöz expressed that after an intense preparation period, the new plays have begun to meet the audience.

Emphasizing that the State Theaters have opened their doors in 14 regions, including Ankara, Bursa, Izmir, Konya, and Adana, as well as Istanbul, Dokgöz said, "We are very excited. The start of the season is a very important day for us."

Dokgöz stated that there are currently 4 plays continuing in Istanbul, and in addition to these, many new plays such as "Lysistrata," "Eternal Peace," and "Where To" will be staged, adding, "Many new plays will meet our audience. We are premiering 3 of our plays this month, and 4 of our plays have entered the premiere stage; as they are released, we will start rehearsals for new plays."

Pointing out that the plays are staged at the 9 venues of the Istanbul State Theater, Dokgöz said, "We have our Mecidiyeköy Grand Stage, where we are currently located, and also our Mecidiyeköy Studio Stage. We meet with the Istanbul audience at 9 venues, including the Üsküdar Tekel Stage, Garibaldi Stage, the Tarık Zafer Tunaya Cultural Center on Istiklal Street, and the Küçükçekmece CKSM Stage."

 "PLAYS WILL CONTINUE TO MEET THE AUDIENCE IN ANATOLIA"

Noting that the plays of the Istanbul State Theater and all regions will be staged at the Ankara, Diyarbakır, Izmir, and Antalya Culture Road Festivals, as well as the Istanbul Culture Road Festival, Dokgöz said, "Mostly, the plays of the Istanbul and Ankara State Theaters will continue to meet our audiences in Anatolia."

Touching upon the fact that the number of cities where the Culture Road Festivals organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism are held is increasing, Dokgöz assessed, "We are also taking our place in the festival and bringing our different plays to our audiences on stages in different cities of Turkey."

Mehmet Fatih Dokgöz underlined that acting is a very enjoyable job done with love.

Stating that the day they are most stressed is the premiere of a play, Dokgöz said, "Every program is a joy for us that lasts for nearly two months, and then a happy day follows. After that, every day we meet the audience is a very happy one for us."

"WE ARE GRATEFUL TO OUR PEOPLE, WE ARE PLAYING TO 100 PERCENT CAPACITY"

Stating that he has accumulated many memories in the 26 years he has served at the İDT, Dokgöz continued his words as follows:

"Actually, every play is a memory. Years pass with their sorrows and joys. Great masters pass their flags to us. We will also pass them on to those who come after us. We are very grateful to our people; we are playing with a 100 percent occupancy rate. We thank them very much, but we are constantly in a state of production to keep up with them. Our tickets sell out within minutes of being released. We are trying to keep up with them. I thank you and say, 'Let's go to the theater.' Our motto as the State Theaters for the 2024-2025 season is 'Hear Me'."

"Lysistrata," one of the new plays of the Istanbul State Theater, which had its first performance at the Mecidiyeköy Grand Stage, will continue its performances on the same stage between October 8-12 as part of the Istanbul Culture Road Festival.

Another new play, "Eternal Peace," written by Juan Mayorga, translated by Canan Şahin, and directed by Yunus Emre Bozdoğan, will meet theater lovers at the Üsküdar Tekel Stage between October 8-13 as part of the festival.

The play titled "Where To," one of the new plays of the Istanbul State Theater, written by Alp Tahmaz and directed by Volkan Özgömeç, will have its premiere at the Mecidiyeköy Grand Stage on October 17.

News Source: AA