‘Romeo ve Juliet’ unites Turkish, Greek artists in historic performance
The classic tale of star-crossed lovers is reimagined through a Turkish-Greek lens, offering a fresh perspective on love, conflict, cultural harmony
William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is receiving a groundbreaking reinterpretation as Turkish and Greek artists collaborate to bring this classic to life in both nations.
This joint production, involving Türkiye’s State Theaters and Greece’s Piraeus City Theater, reimagines the famous story of star-crossed lovers through a new cultural lens.
Kalliopi Haska, playing Juliet, described the project as a significant personal gift. She stressed the unity and friendship formed within the team, saying, “We’ve built a beautiful friendship, not thinking of each other as ‘from Greece’ or ‘from Türkiye.’ This harmony is a testament to the power of art to unite.”
The production’s director, Lefteris Yovanidis, speaks about the unique approach taken for this adaptation. He reveals, “We wanted to capture a different perspective in our show. We decided on having the Capulet family speak Greek and be Greek, and the Montague family to be Turkish and speak Turkish.” This bilingual rendition enriches the narrative, underscoring the universality of love and conflict.
Actor Eray Eserol from Ankara State Theater shared the enthusiasm felt by the cast upon learning about the project. He explains the transformative power of this interpretation, stating, “In the play, children of enemy families fall in love. We thought, what if, instead, it’s the children of countries thought to be enemies? This can show the world that these countries aren’t enemies; in fact, with the power of art, desiring friendship and peace is possible.”
Alp Unsal, portraying Romeo and an artist with the Istanbul State Theater, emphasized the immediate camaraderie formed with the Greek actors despite the brief rehearsal period. “It feels like we’ve been a company together for five or six years,” he shared.
Unsal also elaborated on the play’s thematic essence, noting, “Our director Lefteris has a wonderful staging idea, focusing more on the brotherhood but also examining the emptiness of the enmity’s reasons. The play starts with intense action and comedy, then moves to a darker, more dramatic tone, but it touches everyone’s heart. I believe it will leave the audience with a bittersweet smile and perhaps even tearful eyes.”
The play, which includes dialogues in Turkish, Greek, and English, reflects a confluence of cultures. Rula Pateraki, an experienced Greek actor, shares her thoughts on this trilingual show: “This will be a strong message about how people and communities can live together. It’s a beautiful journey.”
“Romeo ve Juliet” will premiere on April 19, 2024, in Ankara, followed by performances in Istanbul, Izmir, and Greece at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall on May 16, 2024. This production is more than a theatrical event; it is a symbol of cultural harmony and the power of art to unite diverse communities.
Source: Newsroom
