96-year-old Haldun Dormen makes history

The play titled "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," which played to sold-out houses for two seasons when it was first staged at the Dormen Theater in 1968 and has been performed many times over the years, met with the audience at the İzmir Sahne Tozu Theater.

The play, which the 96-year-old master theater artist Haldun Dormen adapted from a famous Broadway musical and directed in 1968, was staged at the İzmir Sahne Tozu Theater, which holds the title of being Europe's largest private theater.

The Broadway musical, written by Larry Gelbart and Bert Shevelove, which Sahne Tozu Theater premiered, received full marks from the audience. On the night, which was filled with laughter, the performance of the actors was highly acclaimed.

STAGE RECORD

96-year-old Haldun Dormen, who closely followed the rehearsals of the 150-minute, two-act play every day and directed it, broke a stage record. The master artist received great applause at the end of the night, where the audience enjoyed the play. In addition to master actor Göksel Kortay, important names such as Sema Sarper, Mehmet Sarper, and Bige Kırca also attended the premiere night.

Regarding the play he directed, Haldun Dormen said, "I had previously done this play in 1968 at the Dormen Theater in Istanbul, and it was very successful. It is a play I love very much, and later I staged the same play at the Istanbul State Theater, where it also achieved success. Years later, I am doing it in İzmir. I hope it achieves the same success here as well."

'I THINK THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL'

Dormen, who put young people to shame during rehearsals, also touched upon the preparation process of the play, saying, "As the director of the play, I have to do the preparation. Of course, I have been at the forefront of all preparations from the first day until today, and we worked very enjoyably. It is a very good cast, and I think they are very successful. I hope the audience finds them successful too. It is a very funny play. I hope they laugh. If they don't laugh, we are in trouble."

'SURPASSED 10 YEARS'

Stating his views after the play by saying, "Sahne Tozu Theater is a theater that tries to continue the Dormen school," Sahne Tozu Theater General Art Director Çağlar İşgören said, "Sahne Tozu Theater has surpassed 10 years, is approaching 20 years, and is moving forward with firm steps. Thank God, our esteemed teacher Haldun Dormen is at our head, as always. He is both the director of our play and the stage consultant of Sahne Tozu Theater. As far as I know, it is the only Broadway musical currently being performed in Turkey. We opened our season with the play titled 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'."

'NO OTHER DIRECTOR'

Evaluating the fact that Haldun Dormen personally directed and followed the play despite his advanced age, İşgören said, "It is impossible to keep up with Haldun's energy. He is a very serious example for us. Haldun Dormen is breaking a record. There is no other director who has directed a Broadway play at the age of 96 in the 100th year of our Republic.

He is not just a master, a doyen; he is truly a director, teacher, friend, and master who still works like a bee, puts everyone to shame with his energy, sets an example, and is extremely meticulous. I guess that's what a master is. We have also made our future plans. Sahne Tozu Theater is moving forward at full speed with Haldun Dormen."

News Source: İHA