Istanbul theater festival lifts curtains on stage, online

The 25th Istanbul Theater Festival is preparing to host plays, performances and dance shows from Turkey and abroad from Oct. 22 and Nov. 20.

With the slogan "Theater In These Trying Times," the festival has set out to bring a breath of fresh air into both the world of theater and theater lovers, presenting a program of mostly new productions that look at the world, which is in search of a new normal, through the lens of theater.

The festival will host 25 national and international in-person and online performances. While online screenings will be accessible from throughout Turkey, in-person performances of the festival will meet the audiences at Alan Kadıköy, Atlas 1948 Movie Theater, Profilo Cultural Centre West Main Stage, Duru Ataşehir, Moda Stage Theater, Caddebostan Cultural Centre, Gazhane Museum, Yapı Kredi bomontiada, DasDas and Zorlu PSM.

Online screenings will be available at passostudio.com throughout the festival.

Eleven physical and online productions from abroad will meet theatergoers with the support of the festival's international productions performance sponsor, ENKA Foundation, whereas 14 local productions will have their premieres at the festival.

Free-of-charge side events such as panels, workshops, talks and reading theaters, held within the scope of the festival's Learning and Training Program, will accompany the festival.

This year the Honorary Awards of the festival will be presented to writer and academic Professor Ayşegül Yüksel and Italian director Pippo Delbono.

Delbono will receive his award on Nov. 4 at Zorlu PSM following his play La Gioia.

Festival program

This year the 25th Istanbul Theater Festival will present a rich program extending from in-person...