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Çağla Elektrikçi
Near East University (NEU) Student Theatre offered the audience an evening that was both entertaining and thought-provoking with its bold and creative performances. The hall, filled with families, academics, and students, hosted a series of plays accompanied by music and lighting, blending humor and satire with strong social commentary.
The evening opened with the play “İlk Pıtta Aşk” through the relationships of couples with contrasting personalities, the play portrayed the fragile nature of intimacy. The scene began with the line “Life is Limitless” from a song, and the tension was broken by an unexpected humorous interruption, reminding the audience of the absurdities of everyday relationships.In “Safi Yalan” a family drama unfolded under disco lights. A daughter trying to persuade her mother, a son exaggerating a car accident, and a father sleeping unaware of the events created a story built on lies and alliances within the family. Through humor, the play criticized the tendency of families to protect their sons while silencing women’s voices, drawing attention to gender roles. The play titled “Olga’s Mafia” brought the issue of sex trafficking to the stage through satire.
After the intermission, the first part of the play “Aşkta Yaşa Takılanlar” was presented under the title “Old Guy.” The story explored generational conflict through the relationship of a father with a much younger girlfriend. The play questioned how aging and desire are perceived in society.
The evening concluded with “Prenses Erkolar.” Set in a café, the story deliberately reversed gender roles. Through innuendos and dialogue, the play questioned how perceptions of masculinity and femininity are constructed and highlighted their place in debates about equality.
At the end of the evening, the long-lasting applause from the audience filling the hall showed that art on campus can be both playful and politically expressive.