This weekend, Manchester Turkish British Association’s Turkish Theatre Club presents its debut production, Ah Şu Gençler (Oh Those Young People).
Penned by bestselling author Turgut Özakman (Şu Çılgın Türkler) in 1983, this light-hearted play is part comedy, part social commentary. During a single act, the audience is taken down memory lane as young people relay their woes about family affairs and relationship issues.
Gulcin Cakir takes on the helm of director for this amateur theatre project, assisted by Asil Ozdemir and Serap Yilmaz, who is the production manager. Loo Yeo has developed the play’s choreography.
Sunday’s cast are: Asil Ozdemir, Asu Uzun Latham, Didem Gul Edwards, Esref Ulas, Ilknur Deynekci, Irem Deynekci, Mihemedo Korkut, Pelin Akin, Serap Yilmaz, Sebnem Ata and Wellington Tsang.
Serap Yilmaz (pictured below, second right), who is appearing in the play and also serves as the vice chair for Manchester Turkish British Association (MTBA), told T-VINE:
“We are very excited about this play and can’t wait for everyone to see it. It’s a great bit of nostalgia, not just for those watching, but also for many of us performing. Rehearsals brought back a lot of memories about our own time as youths. I’m sure it will be the same for the audience.”
“It’s a really entertaining play, done in a cabaret style, so there’s singing and dancing too. It’s something all theatre lovers will enjoy.”
The MTBA was founded by members the Turkish community in Manchester, northwest England, with the object of strengthening and developing the cultural and social ties between Turkish and British people living in the city and neighbouring region. The organisation aims to enhance friendship through educational and cultural events that promote Turkey’s rich and diverse traditions, culture, and heritage.
The organisation is a registered charity (Charity Commission No: 1166322), and currently has 2,145 members. Its amateur dramatics society was established last year.
Play details
Title: Ah Şu Gençler
Language: Turkish
Date: Sunday 5 March 2017
Starts: 7pm
Venue address: North West Theatre Arts Company, 270A Lightbowne Road, Moston, Manchester M40 5HQ.
Admission: £8
For tickets and information: email info@mtba.org.uk to reserve your tickets
