The event is performed in Turkish. It is not suitable for audiences who do not speak Turkish.
Directed by Mehmet Birkiye, Zorlu PSM’s production of The Picture of Dorian Gray will premiere as part of the 30th Istanbul Theatre Festival. Making its debut as the festival’s closing performance, the play will be staged at Zorlu PSM throughout the season, with Brooks Brothers as the main sponsor.
In the manifesto he wrote for his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde declared, “It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors.” With these words, he sharply criticized Victorian readers, rejecting the hypocritical and rigid moral conventions of his time and sparking considerable controversy.
Drawing inspiration from this statement, Kerem Kurdoğlu and Mehmet Birkiye reimagine the novel for the stage through a free adaptation, rewriting the work by exploring the expressive possibilities of the performing arts. Yet, in doing so, they may come closer than ever to the spirit of the original, delving deeper into its essence. With its dark, fantastical and gripping narrative, the story also opens the door to philosophical debates surrounding beauty, lost youth, aestheticism, hedonism, sin, morality and evil.
Featuring compelling performances by Salih Bademci, Engin Hepileri and Yiğit Sertdemir, this dynamic adaptation promises a captivating theatrical experience that resonates deeply with the concerns of our time, awaiting audiences at the festival.
