Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality City Theatres' new productions for the 2026–2027 season include “Hayalî's Dream,” which will meet audiences at the Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage in October.

Written by Burçak Çöllü and directed by Yiğit Sertdemir, the play begins on the jubilee night of Hayalî Tacettin Çınar, who has performed Karagöz and puppetry for more than 40 years. Tacettin sets up the shadow-play apparatus he developed himself and begins telling an old story entrusted to him.
Seen through the eyes of young Tacettin, the story brings to the stage the experiences of Turkish and Greek exchangees who were forced to leave their homes and build a new life, along with those of his master, Mehmet Yorgi. As the past is recounted, the shadows come to life, and fear, hope, pain and laughter intertwine.

The production consists of two acts, runs for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, and is staged for audiences aged 13 and over.
“Hayalî's Dream” will meet art lovers at the Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage on October 7, 8, 9 and 10, followed by October 14, 15, 16 and 17.