Migrant Shakespeare and Seyyar Theatre are a gift. Artists are energised when gifted a theatre production that opens doors for us. We delight in a new way of looking at familiar things. Every theatre company want to do something different, to create something new and fresh. And when we are met with actors from different countries, borders are what we negotiate.
Migrant Shakespeare is a UK / Turkish production that extracts some of the old standard monologues and uses new and common situations to highlight them. These are the common folk: mothers, workmen, students, tourists.
As you walk into the space, you are greeted by folk music, I’m assuming in Turkish, accompanied. Simply, it set the tone of the evening. This company of seven sit and stand alone in different parts of the stage. They move slowly and easily around the stage and through the house, bringing shots of coffee and treats.
These are the common folk who talk to each other in Turkish but use English when they deliver their monologues.
A mother / teacher sits on the floor with a pail of small toys which she uses to illustrate the ages of man, “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women in it merely player.” from As You Like It. It is so unique and valid, you smile at the simplicity.
A painter / plasterer observes, “Blow, blow thou winter wind” from As You Like It.
A mother, changing her baby and folding laundry, recites Lady Macbeth’s “Out damned spot.” and “All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand."
A coffee barista reading from to-go cups calling, “All hail Macbeth?” No Macbeth to claim the coffee. “Hail, Thane of Glamis.” No takers. Who thought Macbeth could be so funny?
These actors are good at creating these characters. But, even hindered by an English that I’m sure they struggle for, their Shakespeare is pretty damn good. Created and directed by Naz Yeni, with her company, she has created something truly wonderful.