We live in the golden age of Turkish theater, says veteran Turkish actor

Turkish theater, movie and TV series actor and film director, Haldun Dormen, attended an event organized by Istanbul Aydın University's Faculty of Fine Arts as a speaker and commented on the current status of Turkish drama.

He underscored that Turkish theater is in its heyday and said, "I will shock all of you with my comment: Everybody claimed that the Turkish theater is dead and it will never be revived but I believe that this is the golden age of Turkish theater. I think the theater companies and alternative stage performances which people look down on are the future of Turkish theater because one way or the other, new stage directors emerge."

Dormen said there are many alternative theater companies in Istanbul; however, he said that not all of the plays that these companies stage are excellent examples. "If I am not mistaken, there are over 250 alternative theaters in Istanbul. These theaters train young and brilliant new stage directors," he added. Dormen claimed that alternative theaters contribute to Turkish theater in many ways and said: "Turkish theater has made a splash in the recent years. We have begun to see the outcome as well. Important scriptwriters and directors are overtaking the theater business," he said.

Dormen recalled that drama writers used to not dare stage their plays. "They chose the safest way, writing things that everybody appreciates. But now, scriptwriters stage their plays in a small room for 20 people. At least this way they are able to show their art to other people. Alternative theaters are a blessing for young scriptwriters and directors," Dormen concluded.