Who Is There?

A Play in Two Acts

Muhsin Ertugrul: a stage and film director, actor and producer... a leading figure in Turkish theatre… he played an important role in the huge political and cultural transformations experienced in Turkey. He has been either lauded as a hero, with nicknames such as “a master without a master”, or been stigmatized for his admiration of the West and his authoritarian stance.

This old man is writing his memoirs.

Two fellow ghosts happen to accompany him on his journey into the past: the reputable Armenian actor Vahram Papazian, Ertugrul’s first instructor, and an actress, Latife Hanım…

Through the character of Vahram Papazian the play confronts the issue of the legacy of actors of Armenian origin for the theatre of Turkey, while the character of Latife Hanım presents a challenge to the myths surrounding Muslim women’s appearance on stage.

The two ghosts present Mr. Muhsin with a strange idea: Let’s stage Hamlet… One last time! The company that debuted the play in Istanbul prepare to stage Hamlet one last time in the new Republic haunted by the tragic memories of the past: Muhsin Bey’s Final Hamlet…

Who’s There? / Muhsin Bey’s Final Hamlet explores, in historical context, the great cultural-political transformation that took place from the end of the Ottoman Empire to Turkey’s early Republican era, and takes a culturally pluralist perspective with a particular focus on the Armenian Genocide by looking at its additional bitter effect on the world of theatre. The play pays inevitable visits to concepts such as the power relationship between the artist and the government, women’s struggle to ‘exist’ on stage, and reactionary oppression and censorship.

Stage Direction and Script: Group Work
Script Editing: Cüneyt Yalaz, İlker Yasin Keskin
Actors and Actresses: Banu Açıkdeniz, Cüneyt Yalaz, İlker Yasin Keskin
Project Consultant: Ömer F. Kurhan
Music: Aybars Gülümser
Scenery: Özgür Eren
Lighting: Levent Soy, Özgür Eren
Costumes : Banu Açıkdeniz, Duygu Dalyanoğlu
Poster Design: Zeycan Alkış


Awards & Nominations
2016 Best Actor in Sadri Alisik Awards
2016 Best Supporting Actor in Sadri Alisik Awards
2016 Best Actor in Direklerarasi Awards
2016 Best Supporting Actor in Direklerarasi Awards
2016 Best Playwright in İsmet Küntay Awards
2016 Nominee for the Best Production in Afife Jale Awards
2016 Nominee for the Best Director in Afife Jale Awards
2016 Nominee for the Best Actor in Afife Jale Awards
2016 Nominee for the Best Supporting Actor in Afife Jale Awards