Organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) with the sponsorship of Koç Holding’s Energy Group Companies—Aygaz, Entek, Opet, and Tüpraş—over the past 20 years, the Istanbul Theatre Festival is raising its curtain for the 28th time. Running from October 22 to November 19, with Mehmet Birkiye as its curator, the festival will showcase 19 exciting performances, spanning plays, dance, and performance art from both Turkey and abroad.

The lineup features a dynamic selection of contemporary Turkish works that bring new energy and insight to modern theatre. Audiences will get a chance to see the premieres of new works by celebrated artists such as Şahika Tekand, Ebru Nihan Celkan, Yiğit Sertdemir, Özen Yula, Levent Tülek, Kerem Kurdoğlu, Tuğçe Tuna, Engin Hepileri, Nagehan Gürkan, Elif Temuçin, Halil Babür, Güray Dinçol, Ümit Erlim, Başak, Kıvılcım Ertanoğlu, Michael Önder, and Selin Şenköken. Additionally, this year’s festival will highlight three new local productions, supported by the Gülriz Sururi-Engin Cezzar Theatre Encouragement Award and İKSV’s Young Artist Fund.

This year’s performances will take place at 11 diverse venues, spanning both sides of Istanbul, including prominent cultural spots like Alan Kadıköy, Arter Karbon, Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, DasDas, Erdem Otopark, Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage, Metrohan, Hope Alkazar, Maximum UNIQ Hall, Üsküdar Tekel Stage, and Zorlu PSM. Here are five must-see international productions from this year’s festival:


Utsushi

A festival highlight, “Utsushi” is a breathtaking example of butoh, a form of Japanese dance theatre that is a significant part of the country’s cultural heritage. The six white-clad performers on stage don’t just dazzle with their stunning visuals; they also convey a powerful emotional journey, filled with moments of joy, sorrow, pain, and hope—beautifully capturing the human experience in its entirety. This retrospective celebrates the 45-year career of Ushio Amagatsu, who introduced butoh to Europe in the 1980s and passed away earlier this year. While paying tribute to Amagatsu’s legacy, “Utsushi” also feels refreshingly current and alive in its own right. The troupe behind Utsushi, the renowned Sankai Juku, will be making their Turkey debut on October 24 and 25 at Zorlu PSM, celebrating the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey. The performance is co-sponsored by Elektromak Büro Makineleri San. ve Tic. A.Ş., with venue sponsorship from Zorlu PSM, and in collaboration with the Japan Foundation.


Hecuba, Not Hecuba

Tiago Rodrigues, Artistic Director of the Avignon Festival, masterfully blends reality and fiction, the personal and the political to create a deeply touching narrative. Inspired by a true story, “Hecuba, Not Hecuba” follows a mother’s pursuit of justice for her autistic son, spanning multiple timelines and eras. Lead actress Elsa Lepoivre and the talented cast of the Comédie-Française bring their characters to life with remarkable authenticity for a deeply moving performance. Supported by the Institut Français Istanbul and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality City Theatres, and sponsored by the ENKA Foundation, “Hecuba, Not Hecuba” will be performed on November 2 and 3 at the Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage.


Hamlet

Shakespeare’s iconic “Hamlet,” with its themes of mortality, corruption, and revenge, is given fresh life under the direction of acclaimed Declan Donnellan, with a minimalist yet evocative set design by Nick Ormerod. Performed by the talented ensemble of the 165-year-old Marin Sorescu National Theatre, the production brings new depth to the timeless tale. Praised by The Guardian as a company whose “every project is a major event,” the troupe is renowned for their bold and compelling interpretations. Directed by Declan Donnellan, a four-time Olivier Award-winner and recipient of the Venice Biennale’s Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, who has staged works at prestigious festivals such as Edinburgh, Avignon, and Salzburg, “Hamlet” will be performed on November 7 and 8 at DasDas.


Macbeth

Award-winning director Nikita Milivojević is known for his daring Shakespeare adaptations and provocative productions. Reinterpreted for the Serbia Shakespeare Festival, his “Macbeth” skillfully depicts a world that is both timeless and contemporary. With more than 30 years of experience and a host of accolades to his name, Milivojević is the founder of both the Belgrade International Theatre Festival and the Serbia Shakespeare Festival. His bold reimagining of classic works has garnered wide acclaim, with his production of “Henry V” at the Globe Theatre and his adaptation of “Crime and Punishment” in Athens being hailed as cultural milestones of the year. Staged by the National Theatre of Serbia, “Macbeth” will be performed on November 12 and 13 at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall.


Richard III

A global icon of contemporary theatre, Thomas Ostermeier and his company Schaubühne Berlin return to the Istanbul Theatre Festival after a decade with “Richard III.” Previously mesmerizing festival-goers with their productions of “Nora: A Doll House,” “Hamlet,” and “An Enemy of the People,” the troupe now brings “Richard III” to the stage with Lars Eidinger as the lead. Eidinger, known for his captivating performance as Hamlet in 2012, delivers a gripping and darkly fascinating portrayal of the titular character. “Richard III” will be performed on November 18 and 19 at Zorlu PSM, with the contributions of Mey|Diageo and with Zorlu PSM as the venue sponsor.