Mahir Gunsiray/Theatre Oyunevi

Mahir Gunsiray (to the far right) and Tiyatro Oyunevi ensemble in Odessa. Photo: Chris Torch

In the dozen years the group has existed, they have attained a position as one of main producers of new plays outside the state theatre system in Turkey.

Gunsiray is director of Tiyatro Oyunevi, a young theatre whose artistic vision reaches wide audiences throughout Turkey and is challenging audiences in Istanbul and the rest of Turkey. Their artistic vision encompasses the dark worlds of Kafka, Koltes´ and Werner Schwab and at the same time inspires them to create imaginative theatre for children.

Tiyatro Oyunevi was created in Istanbul when a group of young actors, artists, a dramaturge and a composer were brought together during a 1996 production of Bertold Brecht’s “Man is Man”.

Beginning with Jean Genet’s “The Maids” directed by Gunsiray and using, as in the famous Living Theatre production of the early sixties, three male actors as Claire, Solange and Madam, they challenged the moral prejudices of the Istanbul audience. Other early shows included a shadow puppet production for children, “A Handful of Animals and Such” written by Ayse Selen and “The Adventures of Don Quixote”, as part of the 75 year celebration of the Turkish Republic.