Ancient theater play ‘Peace’ on stage

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

Director Erten said Aristophanes criticized politics and philosophers.

The 2,000-year-old play “Peace” by Greek comic playwright Aristophanes will be performed at the Ankara State Theater.

Yücel Erten, director of the play, said that even though the play was written 2,000 years ago, it was still very influential.

Erten said the play was about happiness, richness and peace, and it touches on some of the most topical issues of society.

“Peace” is an old Athenian comedy. “I think the ancient theater heritage should be evaluated from Anatolian heritage,” Erten said, speaking to the Anatolia news agency. Noting that Aristophanes was a writer who criticized politics and philosophers in ancient times, Erten said the play would be updated to reflect modern times.

“I tried to reflect the play according to the Turkish language and added Turkish ways of saying things,” Erten said.

The play is notable for its joyous anticipation of peace and for its celebration of a return to an idyllic life in the countryside. However, it also voices a note of caution: There is bitterness in the memory of lost opportunities, and the ending is not happy for everyone.

The jokes are numerous in “Peace” as is the case with all of Aristophanes’ plays, while the action is wildly absurd and the satire is savage. Cleon, the pro-war populist leader of Athens, is once again a target for the writer’s wit.

Although Aristophanes used pointed criticism in his plays, Erten said Turkish theater uses even more.

The play will be onstage for the sixth time in Turkey. “Each time we have updated it,” Erten said. “Different actors and actresses on the stage also affect the general evaluation of the play, and that causes changes in the play.”

The play’s music was composed by Cem İdiz; stage design was created by Hakan Dündar; and the play was choreographed by Salima Sökmen.