Tuba Erdem, one of the popular actresses of the comedy series ’Yedi Numara‘, which aired on TRT 1 between 2000-2003, made statements to Dilek Bozkurt for Ayar Magazine readers. Tuba Erdem's last play written and directed by Enver Aysever ” Reasonable Suspicion ” and gave candid answers.
Erdem said, ”I think one of the most important elements for an actor when working on a text is to have a director who knows what he wants and what he says. Enver Aysever has been involved in theater art for a long time. Of course, when he was the author of the play, we came up with a very solid structure.”.
“I ACCEPTED WITHOUT THINKING”
How did the game first come to you and what was your reaction?
I knew that Enver Aysever was in a new theater formation under the name of “Aykırı Kumpanya” and I was following the processes. When the offer came, I was excited. When he told me that he wanted to stage the play in the Beckett-Brecht style, that is, he was looking for a play and acting style with epic and absurd elements, I was very interested and when I read the text, I accepted it without thinking. The fact that the play is a musical, that the live orchestra accompanies us as an actor of the play, and of course the content of the play are the elements that satisfy me on stage as an actor.
In the play, we see you again together with Ms. Gülden from the cast of Number Seven. We would like to know your thoughts on this subject.
Gülden Güney and I had never lost touch over the years. We didn't take part in a project together, but our friendship continued. In fact, the first time we met her 25 years ago was with the Kabare Taksim theater troupe founded by Oya Yüce before the series “Number Seven” had even started. After 25 years, it was a nice coincidence that the first project we met was again a cabaret. It is a very pleasant and comfortable situation to be on stage with a person you have worked with for a long time and with whom you are friends in life, to think and produce together. We still have a lot of fun together and we can safely lean on each other on stage.
“OUR AIM IS TO HAVE FUN WHILE THINKING TOGETHER WITH OUR AUDIENCE”
What is the message the play wants to convey to the audience?
In our play; we try to address the events and processes in our country and distant countries with a humorous language. We open various concepts to discussion on the axis of individual-system-justice. Isn't the art of theater already a field of thinking, being and producing together? Our aim is to have fun while thinking together with our audience, to remember and analyze what has happened and what is happening, to present a projection to our audience and of course to transform together.
How does it feel to play in a play like this?
Of course, it is an enjoyable game, but it also requires a lot of work. First of all, while working on the play, we had to master the content and what we want to tell in each line. It was necessary to study the subtext well in order to convey it correctly. The form is incompatible, but it is necessary to play in serious harmony with your fellow actors on stage. We have a live orchestra of wonderful musicians who accompany us in our songs. Not to mention singing the songs live without being under their professionalism. When I accepted the role, I knew it would be a difficult process, but the brain trust supported us so well that I never felt alone on stage.
What is your favorite line from the play?
There are so many lines in the play that I love, whether they belong to me or not, that when this question comes up, I think of lines that are adapted to whatever the current agenda is or whatever my mental and intellectual state is that day... Each of them outweighs the other. One of my favorite lines is Socrates“ saying ”the unexamined life is not worth living".
What do you think about your rapport with the cast of Reasonable Suspicion?
Our team consists of 5 actors and 4 musicians. Since the rehearsal process started, we have been a harmonious team. All of our teammates focused on staging the play well, that is, we focused on achieving as a team, not individually. I can say that we are an example of the words of one of my dear friends ‘those who cannot have fun together cannot build a future together’. Of course, we had painful production moments, but we overcame those moments together. Now we are trying to make this process exist with our audience.
Is it difficult to work with Enver Aysever?
I think one of the most important elements for an actor when working with a text is to have a director who knows what he wants and what he says. Enver Aysever has been involved in theater for a long time. Of course, when he was the author of the play, we came across a very solid structure. In addition to knowing what he wants, he has a directorial mindset that does not impose it on the actor, does not leave the actor alone on the stage, open to imagining and producing together. As such, it is not difficult to work, on the contrary, it is enjoyable. He is someone who writes the text of the play, directs, writes the lyrics, imagines the décor and costume, in other words, someone who can look at the work that emerges on the stage holistically. I can say that all these elements created a serious sense of trust in me.
What would you like to say to the readers of Ayar Magazine?
We, the Aykırı Kumpanya team, welcome anyone who is troubled by the state of the world to our play. Let's look at these troubles together and have a good time together. Theater is good, theater heals.
Interview and Photos: Dilek Bozkurt