The Forest of the Witch | Karagoz, A Traditional Anatolian Shadow Theater performed by Ayhan Hulagu

Traditional Anatolian Shadow Theatre

One-Man Show by Ayhan Hulagu

The Forest of the Witch is one of the most well-known traditional Anatolian shadow theatre performances. Adapted from the 19th-century tale Bloody Poplar with a contemporary twist, the play explores a universal theme. Karagöz, who cuts down a tree growing in front of his house, faces a surprise: the tree is mystical, and from that moment on, nothing remains the same.

The story features iconic American characters and playfully highlights the importance of protecting nature and embracing diversity. All figures are created using original techniques acknowledged by UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list—carefully crafted from camel or buffalo hide, just as they were centuries ago. Brought to life with vibrant, traditional dyes, these figures are animated by a single artist, staying true to the spirit of this centuries-old art form.

Ayhan Hulagu, who gained international recognition by being the first to adapt classics from East and West—from Hamlet to One Thousand and One Nights—into traditional Turkish theater, once again presents a cross-cultural work with The Forest of the Witch. As the first artist in the 700-year history of this tradition to bring traditional Turkish theater to Broadway and Hollywood, he performs all the characters in this one-person show, staying true to its roots and promising a performance full of humor.

Ayhan Hulagu is a New York-based actor. After obtaining his college degree, he joined the Sahika Tekand Studio Players in Istanbul. Hulagu brought his artistic experience to the U.S. and was granted an ‘extraordinary ability artist’ status. In 2017, he founded the US Karagoz Theatre Company. His shows have been seen in nearly 40 states across the U.S., and he organized masterclass workshops and exhibitions to win new fans and audiences for Turkish Theatre at international festivals and universities. Hulagu has been a guest artist at multiple universities, including Cornell, UC Berkeley, Princeton, Harvard, and MIT.

He brought Don Quixote, Hamlet, Stories of Dede Korkut, and 1001 Nights Tales to traditional Turkish theatre for the first time and was nominated for the best-adapted plays of the year in America in 2021. He received invitations from several organizations to perform, such as the Hollywood Fringe Festival, National Puppet Festival, Neopolis International Theatre Festival, and New York Fringe Festival. He frequently receives such invitations from similar organizations in the U.S., Asia, Africa, and Europe.