Review: SENINLE BASIM DERTTE” – “IN TROUBLE WITH YOU at KüçükÇiftlik Park

A new Turkish musical has been created around the music of well-known Turkish singer Selami ?ahin, under direction of Damla Cerciso?lu who is also happens to be one of the three founders of the musical; Yavuz Hakan Tok, Hakan Alt?ner, to celebrate and cherish golden ages of Turkish music and movies. The company includes Lider ?ahin who is the son of Selami ?ahin, Toprak Sa?lam, ?smail Düvenci, An?l Yülek, Cenk Tunal?, Elhan Tok, Hakan Alt?ner and last but not the least Suna Keskin.

Story takes off with the appearance of an upcoming diva in a night-club; Neriman. Neriman has left Gaziantep with her ambitious mother to fulfill her dreams of becoming the new Arabesque Diva of Turkey during 80's as well as getting away from the hot-headed ex-lover. During her time in Istanbul, the taxi driver ?brahim falls in love with Neriman and follows her everywhere like a duckling. Despite the fact that her mother does not approve the interest of ?brahim; Neriman slowly falls for the driver. His belief regarding the purity of Neriman's soul which lives beneath whole charade Neriman puts him through and his way of seeing her of being different than the rest of the crowd, leaves Neriman between the lines; is there a chance that ?brahim is right and Neriman is somehow different than the rest or is she just another voice in the crowd to be faded away and he is nothing but a fool?

Just as the story builds and start giving answers, above mentioned hot-headed ex-lover jumps in for five-minutes ballad to create a plot-twist and shots Neriman from her ankle. By the incident, long awaited fame comes to Neriman in an instant. Tabloids, interviews, job offers pours over her like cats and gods. Her mother takes an immediate action to no to miss their only chance of being the next Diva and signs every agreement which has a potential of bringing huge amount of money. Under the whirlpool of changes, the relationship between Neriman and ?brahim is destined to be demolished despite the fact non of the both sides ready to forget and move on. The producer, Osman jumps in to the story line as the greedy and manipulative human-being who has decided to earn money over Neriman's shoulders. Notwithstanding, by the negligence of Neriman's mother, he achieves his dreams for a frame of time.

As truth comes out and Neriman realizes her mother's ill-founded decisions on her behalf; she decides to take action by herself which leads her back to her love and freedom. The story has millions and millions of plot-twists, secrets, charades, achievements, misunderstandings and broken hearts and one giant hopeful happy ending filled with glitter and sparkling jewelries.

The musical was created under good intentions by collaborating with a talented crew, although there is always a room for improvement. If we take it step by step; casting was mostly on-point. Most of the actors and the actresses have gloriously carried the pressure of creating something out of the scratch. Still some of them need to improve their acting, dancing and/or singing skills so that they can carry on the fire along with their company and take the show to another level.

The story had it flaws which can be spotted and rectified by quick changes. The story stands as a salute to 80's people and their life yet had no connection to the 2018's people. It was like watching and envying the way things were back then but nothing more, since there is no way for us to catch those times back and have romantic stories as star-crossed lovers. That said, considering that even most of the Broadway musicals takes their time with previews and tryouts just to settle with the final version; evaluating a new musical according to their first preview would be injustice. Therefore, this musical has every right to be applauded.

It is heartbreaking to say although the biggest distraction and confusion was made by the design crew. The time-line was reflected with all the projections and costumes. The projection design was almost completely off the book, the dresses - even though I adored most of them - was jumping between eras. For the audience, especially who were grown by watching 70 - 80's Turkish movies; it was extremely easy spot and disturbing to encounter such mistakes. The orchestra, lightning and sound teams had their crumbling moments as well but once again, nothing too big and can be rectified during future productions by just being a bit more careful.

The supposedly homosexual character, Tanju was created and stuffed within the perspective of an ignorant heterosexual who would only consider the different as a joke and nothing more. The acting was flawless, the movement and gestures were catchy, the impromptu moments were undeniably delightful. Nothing can be spoken against those. However, it was like an itching scar which will only bleed after the short relief.

Overall all the blood and sweat shed for the project have given us a promising musical which needs its time, a bit more care and dedication to be developed thoroughly and become a legend.

Some of the pointers must be mentioned since they kept the audience's interest and love on fire;

Neriman's mother, Gülten; who has been portrayed exceptionally and flawlessly by the Suna Keskin, has her eyes wide open and locked on the target like a missile. She constantly pushes her daughter to go further for wealth and fame by missing the common sense most of the time. Her character portrait represents a timeless character of a wanna-be and how they/we can miss the blurry line between being supportive and pushing people to get what they/we want instead of what's good for them. The audience may have laughed it off for awhile but it is abundantly clear that everyone had to take a hard look on themselves at the mirror after the show. Not to mention, the resemblance between Mama Rose and Gülten, makes one feel respect and love.

Elhan Tok whom portrayed Aysel, definitely defied the gravity and blew off the roof. Her voice, her acting, her standing was always on spot and captivating. The combination of a fragile and an unsuccessful diva with a broken heart can only be portrayed this swell. Her natural swings and sways were made the audience question of how she couldn't achieve to become the well-acknowledged star.

Selami ?ahin who has supported the musical by his visual appearance and his songs, has given the new era of Turkish Musical Theatre a hope, a way of dreaming, a path to follow. Beside being one of the most well-known artists in Turkey; letting his songs to be used in such a project with a totally new perspective deserves a standing ovation. - Which he got during the bows. -

As the unavoidable fact that the musical theatre is still a growing sector in Turkey and coming up with new projects is much harder due to lack of million other reasons; creating an original musical takes huge amount of courage and dedication. This project deserves to be cherished just even for that.

We hope to see lot more of original Turkish musicals in the future and giving our high praise to the crew of "Seninle Basim Dertte" - "In Trouble with You" for taking a huge step to lead a glorious path.

A new Turkish musical has been created around the music of well-known Turkish singer Selami ?ahin, under direction of Damla Cerciso?lu who is also happens to be one of the three founders of the musical; Yavuz Hakan Tok, Hakan Alt?ner, to celebrate and cherish golden ages of Turkish music and movies. The company includes Lider ?ahin who is the son of Selami ?ahin, Toprak Sa?lam, ?smail Düvenci, An?l Yülek, Cenk Tunal?, Elhan Tok, Hakan Alt?ner and last but not the least Suna Keskin.

Story takes off with the appearance of an upcoming diva in a night-club; Neriman. Neriman has left Gaziantep with her ambitious mother to fulfill her dreams of becoming the new Arabesque Diva of Turkey during 80's as well as getting away from the hot-headed ex-lover. During her time in Istanbul, the taxi driver ?brahim falls in love with Neriman and follows her everywhere like a duckling. Despite the fact that her mother does not approve the interest of ?brahim; Neriman slowly falls for the driver. His belief regarding the purity of Neriman's soul which lives beneath whole charade Neriman puts him through and his way of seeing her of being different than the rest of the crowd, leaves Neriman between the lines; is there a chance that ?brahim is right and Neriman is somehow different than the rest or is she just another voice in the crowd to be faded away and he is nothing but a fool?

Just as the story builds and start giving answers, above mentioned hot-headed ex-lover jumps in for five-minutes ballad to create a plot-twist and shots Neriman from her ankle. By the incident, long awaited fame comes to Neriman in an instant. Tabloids, interviews, job offers pours over her like cats and gods. Her mother takes an immediate action to no to miss their only chance of being the next Diva and signs every agreement which has a potential of bringing huge amount of money. Under the whirlpool of changes, the relationship between Neriman and ?brahim is destined to be demolished despite the fact non of the both sides ready to forget and move on. The producer, Osman jumps in to the story line as the greedy and manipulative human-being who has decided to earn money over Neriman's shoulders. Notwithstanding, by the negligence of Neriman's mother, he achieves his dreams for a frame of time.

As truth comes out and Neriman realizes her mother's ill-founded decisions on her behalf; she decides to take action by herself which leads her back to her love and freedom. The story has millions and millions of plot-twists, secrets, charades, achievements, misunderstandings and broken hearts and one giant hopeful happy ending filled with glitter and sparkling jewelries.

The musical was created under good intentions by collaborating with a talented crew, although there is always a room for improvement. If we take it step by step; casting was mostly on-point. Most of the actors and the actresses have gloriously carried the pressure of creating something out of the scratch. Still some of them need to improve their acting, dancing and/or singing skills so that they can carry on the fire along with their company and take the show to another level.

The story had it flaws which can be spotted and rectified by quick changes. The story stands as a salute to 80's people and their life yet had no connection to the 2018's people. It was like watching and envying the way things were back then but nothing more, since there is no way for us to catch those times back and have romantic stories as star-crossed lovers. That said, considering that even most of the Broadway musicals takes their time with previews and tryouts just to settle with the final version; evaluating a new musical according to their first preview would be injustice. Therefore, this musical has every right to be applauded.

It is heartbreaking to say although the biggest distraction and confusion was made by the design crew. The time-line was reflected with all the projections and costumes. The projection design was almost completely off the book, the dresses - even though I adored most of them - was jumping between eras. For the audience, especially who were grown by watching 70 - 80's Turkish movies; it was extremely easy spot and disturbing to encounter such mistakes. The orchestra, lightning and sound teams had their crumbling moments as well but once again, nothing too big and can be rectified during future productions by just being a bit more careful.

The supposedly homosexual character, Tanju was created and stuffed within the perspective of an ignorant heterosexual who would only consider the different as a joke and nothing more. The acting was flawless, the movement and gestures were catchy, the impromptu moments were undeniably delightful. Nothing can be spoken against those. However, it was like an itching scar which will only bleed after the short relief.

Overall all the blood and sweat shed for the project have given us a promising musical which needs its time, a bit more care and dedication to be developed thoroughly and become a legend.

Some of the pointers must be mentioned since they kept the audience's interest and love on fire;

Neriman's mother, Gülten; who has been portrayed exceptionally and flawlessly by the Suna Keskin, has her eyes wide open and locked on the target like a missile. She constantly pushes her daughter to go further for wealth and fame by missing the common sense most of the time. Her character portrait represents a timeless character of a wanna-be and how they/we can miss the blurry line between being supportive and pushing people to get what they/we want instead of what's good for them. The audience may have laughed it off for awhile but it is abundantly clear that everyone had to take a hard look on themselves at the mirror after the show. Not to mention, the resemblance between Mama Rose and Gülten, makes one feel respect and love.

Elhan Tok whom portrayed Aysel, definitely defied the gravity and blew off the roof. Her voice, her acting, her standing was always on spot and captivating. The combination of a fragile and an unsuccessful diva with a broken heart can only be portrayed this swell. Her natural swings and sways were made the audience question of how she couldn't achieve to become the well-acknowledged star.

Selami ?ahin who has supported the musical by his visual appearance and his songs, has given the new era of Turkish Musical Theatre a hope, a way of dreaming, a path to follow. Beside being one of the most well-known artists in Turkey; letting his songs to be used in such a project with a totally new perspective deserves a standing ovation. - Which he got during the bows. -

As the unavoidable fact that the musical theatre is still a growing sector in Turkey and coming up with new projects is much harder due to lack of million other reasons; creating an original musical takes huge amount of courage and dedication. This project deserves to be cherished just even for that.

We hope to see lot more of original Turkish musicals in the future and giving our high praise to the crew of "Seninle Ba??m Dertte" - "In Trouble with You" for taking a huge step to lead a glorious path.

To post a comment, you must register and login.