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Dormen Theatre
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Dormen Theatre

theater, Istanbul, Turkey
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Quick Summary

The Dormen Theatre was established in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1955 by Haldun Dormen. This theatre company performed A Tale of Istanbul in London in 1971, a comedy that incorporated folklore, puppetry, singing, and belly dancing. The Dormen Theatre also produced contemporary Western plays.1

Historically, theatre in the Islamic world, including Turkey, faced suspicion from some orthodox Muslim scholars due to concerns about idolatry and the portrayal of humans. Despite this, popular theatre traditions, including mime and shadow puppet shows, persisted. The Ottoman Empire supported live theatre, and in Istanbul, the first Turkish playhouse was built in the mid-19th century, initially featuring adaptations from French plays. Over time, original Turkish plays with nationalist themes emerged, and the state began to subsidize theatre companies in the 20th century, leading to greater acceptance and diversity in theatrical subjects.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Islamic arts - Turkey
  2. Islamic arts - Ortaoyunu

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