How do you know Shakespeare?
A genius who became the greatest writer of world literature – despite growing up in a small town two hundred kilometers from London in the sixteenth century, as the child of an illiterate family! – Is that really possible?
Ege Maltepe’s new play “Is Shakspere Shakespeare?” takes off from a historical scandal to question our industrialized lives, the socio-political consequences of concealing the true identity of the great artist who wrote under the pen name “Shakespeare,” and the real power of the phenomenon we call “art.” The play, constructed by Maltepe’s fantastical character “Madam Art,” unfolds in a philosophical and humorous cave courtroom enlivened by Shakespearean characters, sonnets, and visits from English queens.
Ege Maltepe, known in New York for the plays she has written and the characters she has portrayed after her years working with Oscar-winning director Mike Nichols, has pioneered a new trend in Turkish Theatre with the “Spolin” improvisation technique she introduced to Turkey. Following in the tradition of her first theatre teacher, Ferhan Şensoy, Maltepe writes, directs, and performs in “Is Shakspere Shakespeare?”—embodying eight different characters in a way that makes us forget we are watching a solo performance.
Interwoven with compositions by G. F. Händel and songs written by Emir Gamsız, this musical play invites you to reflect on history, art, and world politics through a centuries-old debate.
Before its English-language tour in London and New York, “Is Shakspere Shakespeare?” will have its world premiere in Turkish during the 2025–26 season at Istanbul’s Süreyya Opera House!
ARTISTS AND CREATIVE TEAM:
Writer & Performer: Ege Maltepe
Concept: Emir Gamsız & Ege Maltepe
Music: G. F. Handel & Emir Gamsız
Pianist: Emir Gamsız
Voice of the Judge: Ali Pınar
Technical Team: Ceren Yadikar, İpek Özkuyumcu, Berke Yıldırım, Nesrin Salihoğlu, Kağan Samesti
Is Shakspere Shakespeare will premiere on November 8th, 2025 in Sureyya Opera House, Istanbul
