By Heidi Trautmann

“Passa Tempo” is a play written by Aliye Ummanel, dramaturgue at the Nicosia Municipality Theatre. It was first staged in Paris in November on the occasion of the Turkish Days, an event of seven days at the Maison d’Europe et d’Orient Art Centre. It is a two-person-piece played by Deniz Cakir and Osman Ates, two wonderful actors, and directed by Aliye Ummanel.

“Passa Tempo” is about the influences of a past war on a family. It narrates the story of a mother, a son who was wounded before his birth and the illusion of a father lost at the war. It presents a part from the life of people who are stuck between past and future. It discusses  the conflict between two generatios: one which experienced the war and the one which did not but is still affected by it.

War has already ended years ago. But its impacts are still continuing. And although years have passed, even the ones who did not experience it cannot escape its impacts. Past is like a wall in front of the future. Present time cannot escape the shadow of the past and the ambiguity of future. The play discusses the different impacts of time over different people.
Is a war actually over when it is over?

A question which is still open today in Cyprus.

I learnt that the Cypriot Greek Embassy in Paris had undertaken efforts to prevent the Turkish Cypriot theatre group to take part in the Turkish Days. They tried in vain, even demonstrations in front of the theatre on the day of performance could not uphold the staging. The art director of the centre and Aliye Ummanel the director went to meet the protesters outside the building and talked to them. Some of those – it was found out during the talks – have never been to Cyprus, they have constantly lived in Paris. Then when the play had started, some of the protesters were talked into entering the house to see the play. Aliye said: My play is not a cry of protest, it is meant as a call for peace. In the end they were applauded enthusiastically by the Parisian audience. A diplomatic humanitarian victory, as I would see it.

“Passa Tempo” will soon be staged in the “Lefkosa Belediye Tiyatro” (Nicosia Municipality Theatre) in Kucuk Kaymakli with the same cast; Music is by Mehmet Atun, stage design by Özlem Yetkili. I will watch out for the performing days.

On the programme at present is a repetition of last year’s most enjoyable play “The Birthday Party” ; if you want to learn more about it, check under No. 23 and 23a on my website  www.heiditrautmann.com under art news archive.

For further details about the theatre click the following: www.nicosiaturkishmunicipaltheatre.com

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