Fair Tales Takes the Stage​

Fair Tales, as Interpreted by Odeabank’s

Fair Tales Takes the Stage

Initiated by Odeabank to highlight the concept of gender equality and warmly received by both children and parents alike, the Eşit Masallar (Fair Tales) project is now set to take to the stage. The theatrical adaptations of five classic world tales, reinterpreted with an egalitarian perspective in collaboration with Can Publications, will soon grace the stage as a children's play. Fair Tales will debut at Alan Kadıköy on November 6–7 as part of the 25th Istanbul Theater Festival, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV).

Reinterpreted with a gender equality viewpoint by Türkiye’s young, dynamic, and innovative bank Odeabank, “Fair Tales” is now making its debut on the theater stage. The protagonists of the Fair Tales project, which was warmly received by both children and parents alike, including Cinderella, Rapunzel, the Kindhearted Prince and the Seven Dwarfs, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Frog Prince, will break down stereotypes in their new adventures, now adapted into a theater play. Bringing together the protagonists of five classic world tales on the same stage, the play will highlight gender equality, nature, and the environment through reinterpreted stories.

In Fair Tales, our protagonists confront the cunning schemes of the “Vezveze,” the Evil Vizier. Our protagonists, especially the sharp-witted Smart Princess and the Kindhearted Prince with his riddle-solving prowess, guarantee that Vezveze's schemes will meet their end. The protagonists at the ball, competing for the role of vizier, are united in their goal to protect our world and nature.

Fair Tales, adapted by Müge Mor Hercihan and directed by Deniz Yeşil Mavi, features an ensemble cast including Aykut İspir, Büşra Saraç, Mehmet Küçük, Mukaddes Kurmuş İspir, Rüya Erdoğan, Şükrü Veysel Alankaya, Tolga Kayrak, and Tuna Gür Coşkun.

Mert Öncü: We've Brought the Concept of Equality to the Stage

Odeabank CEO Mert Öncü commented on the theatrical adaptation of the Fair Tales project, which launched last December to widespread acclaim: “The reimagined tales of Cinderella, Rapunzel, the Kindhearted Prince and the Seven Dwarfs, Red Riding Hood, and The Frog Prince, all seen through the perspective of gender equality, have been received with great enthusiasm. Since the launch of the Fair Tales project, we have provided books to 310,000 people free of charge. Our e-books have been viewed 200,000 times on our website, and we've received encouraging feedback from children, their families, and educators. Equality is not only a fundamental human right but also essential for the sustainable development of societies. Our bank’s objective with this project was to effectively and positively embed the concept of gender equality in children’s minds from an early age and to raise awareness among parents. The enthusiastic reception we’ve received has demonstrated that our decision was correct. This time, we will bring the concept of equality to children through the medium of theater.”

A New Feature at the Istanbul Theater Festival: “There is a Woman Behind This” Theme Sponsored by Odeabank One of the innovations at this year’s 25th Istanbul Theater Festival, organized by İKSV, is the theme ‘There is a Woman Behind This.’ This theme showcases plays produced entirely by women, aiming to increase the visibility of women’s contributions in theater. As part of this theme, the plays Fair Tales, Yüzleşme (Confrontation), Birazdan Gideriz Şimdi Yağmur Yağıyor (One Step Too Far), and Kendine Ait Bir Oda (A Room of One’s Own) will be presented to the audience with the sponsorship of Odeabank. The theme “There is a Woman Behind This” will also feature two panels, sponsored by Odeabank. In addition to the panel “Equality of the Stage, the Stage of Equality,” the panel “How to Find a Fairer Path in Children’s Narratives?” will also be open to festival attendees.

The panels are free of charge and can be attended by making a reservation on the İKSV website. Tickets are available at Passo.

Cast and Crew:

Project owner: Odeabank
Name of play: Fair Tales
Duration: 30 minutes
For ages: 5–10
Adapted by: Müge Mor Hercihan
Directed by: Deniz Yeşil Mavi
Assistant Director: Deniz Özbay
Cast: Aykut İspir, Büşra Saraç, Mehmet Küçük, Mukaddes Kurmuş İspir, Rüya Erdoğan, Şükrü Veysel Alankaya, Tolga Kayrak, Tuna Gür Coşkun
Scenic and Costume Design by: Sibel Tomaç
Dramaturg: Yelda Özdeş
Pedagogue: Sümeyye Nur Karakoç Türkoğlu
Lighting Design by: Erdem Çınar
Instruments: Tolga Kayrak
Movement Arrangement: İbrahim Ulutaş
Music: Çağrı Özgür Hün