Digital Stage #1 Hamlet

With an up-to-date format in which the audience element is digitized, sequences selected from cult dramas are brought to life at the Zorlu PSM Youtube channel. Produced by Zorlu PSM and Based Istanbul, the series aims to regenerate excitement to create brand new projects for the theatre stage, which came to a halt due to pandemic, and gain a new dynamic where the audience factor is being digitalized.

In these extraordinary times where self-isolation became a mandatory precaution, theater, like most branches of art, is looking for alternative ways to survive. They are evolving with the enthusiasm of introducing new solutions to make up for the various approaches that have been waived to survive in this new order.

Defining itself for centuries or even millennia with its lively contact with the audience, the theater is faced to take new forms within different boxes to maintain its intimate bond with its audience.  Instant mutual sharing, one of the leading concerns of performance arts, is being redefined by online screenings.

Produced by Based Istanbul and directed by İbrahim Çiçek, “Digital Stage”  reinterprets classic theatrical works through a contemporary lens. The premiere will be streaming on the Zorlu PSM Youtube channel on January 7th. A short sequence from Shakepeare’s most staged play will include Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu and Damla Sönmez as Hamlet and Ophelia. 

I wish we could stage all of these 10 plays and physically meet the audience, but unfortunately, in the world we live in today, we do not have that opportunity.  So even being able to do it, at least in some way, makes me proud.

Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu

In the first screening, Hamlet and Ophelia’s relationship is presented in the perspective of violation of privacy, betrayal, pride, and disappointment. The play unites İbrahim Çiçek’s unique directorial interpretation with Ceyda Balaban’s visual feast with the stage and the costumes and with Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu and Damla Sönmez’s exceptional performance, the play opens a door to a brand new viewing experience.  Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu is happy to finally meet Hamlet, whom he wanted to play since the early years of the conservatory.  When he looks at the bigger picture of the project, he says, “I wish we could stage all of these 10 plays and physically meet the audience, but unfortunately in the world, we live in today, we do not have that opportunity. So even being able to do it, at least in some way, makes me proud.” Damla Sönmez emphasizes that the experience here is beyond an ordinary theater experience, “With the participation of Based Istanbul, the work entered a multidisciplinary dimension that brought fashion, theater, and music together. People will probably start experiencing with different things in the near future, and I hope our project will set an example.”

With the participation of Based Istanbul, it became a multidisciplinary work that brought fashion, theater, and music together People will probably start to experience with different things in the near future, and I hope our project will set an example.

Damla Sönmez

Written by William Shakespeare hundreds of years ago, in this contemporary sequence of this timeless story, Hamlet and Ophelia question the world they live in; the world of war, swords, betrayal, and of cameras, mirrors, selfies.  The predicament of Ophelia’s songs and Hamlet’s inevitable betrayal deepens in a world that does not respect privacy. If pride hadn’t destroyed everything, maybe everything would have been very different. To experience the story of frustration, regret, and betrayal in a never seen before digital format, follow the Zorlu PSM Youtube channel.

Written by: William Shakespeare

Adaptation/Director: İbrahim Çiçek

Videographer: Gizem Kızıl

Cast: Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu, Damla Sönmez

Producer: Duygu Bayram, Zorlu PSM

Creative Producer: Duygu Bengi, Based Istanbul

Executive Producer: Miray Kaya

Scenography – Stage and Costume Design: Ceyda Balaban

Costume Design: Burak Sanuk, Mert Yemenicioğlu

Music: Ömer Sarıgedik

Photography: Burcu Karademir

Light: Hakan Kılıç

Project Menager: Levent Dokuzer

Project Coordinator: Gözde Tekay

Video Production: Metehan Öz, İgnore Zone

Asistant Director: Helin Demirel

Production Asistants: Sıla Demiral, Eylül Yankın

Stage Manager:Yılmaz Çoban

Sound: Fatih Yücelli, Erhan Yurtseven

Cinematography: Behçet Mert, Can Tengiz

Post Production: Zeynep Torun

Camera Asistants: Mehmet Emin Yücel, Murat Çağlayan

Poster Design: Ecem Tungaz

Sound Mix: North İstanbul

Hair: Makas

Makeup: MAC Cosmetics

Creative Agency BI Creative