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The modern ballet “Afife,” based on the life of Turkish theater pioneer Afife Jale, premiered at the Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM) Turk Telekom Opera Hall in Istanbul.
Staged by the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet (IDOB), the production uses dance to portray a life marked by freedom, passion and courage. In 1919, when Muslim Turkish women were banned from performing, Jale became the first woman to take the stage despite every obstacle.
First staged in 1998 by the Ankara State Opera and Ballet, also at AKM, the work has come back to life in IDOB’s new production.
The music is by Turgay Erdener, and the libretto (the written text and story of a ballet or opera) and choreography are by Beyhan Murphy.
Through a dramatic structure, the work portrays Afife Jale’s final period at Bakirkoy Mental Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Istanbul, before her death. Under the watch of nurses, she recalls four separate periods of her past, and she bids farewell to life in the arms of her first love, Ziya.
The four phases that represent turning points in the artist’s life were performed by dancers symbolized by four different colors. Ilke Kodal plays the lead character, Afife, while Berin Gunay plays “Golden Afife,” Gizem Atik Tuncay plays “Red Afife,” Deniz Kilinc Tunceli plays “Purple Afife,” and Berfu Elmas plays “Silver Afife.”
Among the figures who left deep marks on Afife Jale’s life, her cousin and first love Ziya is played by Berkay Gunay, her husband Selahattin Pinar by Batur Buklu, and the actress Elisa Binemeciyen of the period by Zuhal Karaca. The nurses, known as the “Three Shadows,” are played by Emre Karaca, Ahmet Sahin and Taner Gungor.
The Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra accompanies the work under conductor Ibrahim Yazici. Set design is by Efter Tunc, costume design by Bahar Korcan, lighting design by Cem Yilmazer and video design by Aisha Hajiyeva.
As part of the season program, the “Afife” ballet will continue to be performed at the AKM Turk Telekom Opera Hall on Oct. 14, 15, 17 and 29.
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