FringeReview India 2024
Goodbye Erdogan
Betal Ozay
Genre: Contemporary, Dark Comedy, Drama, One Person Show, Storytelling
Venue: Shreeram Lagoo Rang–Avakash
Festival: FringeReview India, IAPAR India
Low Down
A deeply engaging show about a small man overwhelmed by the seismic changes in modern Turkish society. Goodbye Erdogan masterfully combines storytelling, video, and comedy, maintaining the audience’s attention with its dynamic rhythm and a remarkably talented performer.
Review
It is rare to leave a theater pleasantly stunned by a performance that defies expectations. Goodbye Erdogan is one of those rare shows that entertains while exploring the dangers of authoritarianism. The play delves into the historical shifts in Turkish society, immersing the audience in the protagonist’s journey and evoking deep empathy.
The charismatic actor Betal Ozay brings to life the world of Sevki Duru, a simple courthouse clerk. On what seems like an ordinary day in Istanbul’s Gezi Park, Sevki inadvertently becomes a symbol of protest against the Erdogan government—in an event he never intended to join. This marks the beginning of a deeply emotional story reminiscent of Josef K.’s plight in Kafka’s The Trial.
On May 31, 2013, Sevki sits on a bench in Gezi Park. His life is simple and relatable. His daily routine involves stopping at a kiosk for tea before heading to work at the Istanbul Çağlayan Justice Palace, the world’s largest judicial complex. He loves his city and his work, finding safety and belonging in his routine. But everything changes when he is caught in a clash between police and protesters opposing plans to turn the park into a shopping mall.
Sprayed by water cannons and blinded by tear gas, Sevki tries to escape the chaos. A photographer captures an image of him running with other protesters, and the photo lands on the front pages of the New York Times and a major Turkish newspaper. Suddenly, Sevki is thrust into global stardom, becoming a symbolic figure he never sought to be. His newfound fame turns into a curse as the system demotes him to an evidence technician, relegating him to a life of isolation in the underground archives of the judicial palace.
This is not a tale of overt dictatorship or physical violence but rather one of subtle emotional and psychological abuse. Erdogan never appears in the play as a physical character. Sevki’s suffering stems not from a single individual but from a sophisticated system of power, with Erdogan symbolizing the profound changes reshaping modern Turkey.
Betal Ozay’s remarkable performance convinces us he is Sevki. The audience is transported into Sevki’s world, where moments of deep human suffering are punctuated by pure comedy. The story’s rhythm is masterful, alternating between tension, surprise, and release, keeping the audience captivated as Sevki’s life unfolds.
Sevki’s emotional journey—happiness, surprise, denial, hope, despair—culminates in his desire to leave Turkey. Yet the play reveals that his plight is not solely Erdogan’s doing but also reflects the broader dynamics of Turkish society. A clever stage device allows the audience to witness pro-Erdogan protests outside the Turkish embassy in Amsterdam, highlighting Sevki’s helplessness against the larger forces of history. He is a man adrift in an ocean of uncontrollable forces—a reflection of us all.
What sets this play apart is its ability to handle profound themes with a light touch. We laugh heartily as Sevki humorously describes his job in the evidence room’s subterranean depths, only to be confronted moments later with the tragic death of an innocent youth at the hands of the police. We feel hopeful when Sevki considers seeking asylum in Sweden and despair when the Kurdish lawyer who convinces him otherwise is killed during a protest. The emotional twists are relentless, and Ozay uses every theatrical tool—comedy, dance, music, props, and video—to keep us on edge, eager for more.
The use of video is particularly noteworthy. Few plays integrate video so seamlessly, enhancing rather than disrupting the storytelling. The transitions from stage to screen elevate the emotional intensity and lend credibility to the narrative. A thoughtfully designed lighting scheme further amplifies the emotional depth of Sevki’s story, adding the final touch to an already outstanding production.
At the heart of it all is Betal Ozay’s ability to captivate the audience from start to finish. His comedic brilliance brings light to Sevki’s dark world, making Goodbye Erdogan an unforgettable hour of contemporary theater. This is theater that doesn’t just tell a story—it immerses us in an emotional journey that lingers in our hearts long after the play ends.
