Muhsin Ertugrul Theatre
The Muhsin Ertugrul Theater is a component of the Istanbul Congress Center with a 600 seat theater featuring a horizontal and vertical movement capable rotating stage and orchestra pit, a fine wood interior decor and furnishings as well as state of the art acoustics, digital sound system, custom lighting, electronics, and backstage facilities for dressing rooms, truck delivery and storage. The 12.000 m² theater was completed in 2.5 months.
Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage (Turkish: Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Sahnesi) is a theater venue located in Harbiye neighborhood of Şişli district in Istanbul, Turkey. It is owned by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and operated by its City Theaters (Şehir Tiyatroları) division. The theater is named in honor of the Turkish stage actor and director Muhsin Ertuğrul (1892-1979).
The Muhsin Ertuğrul theater was initially opened in 1964. The old building at the same location was partly demolished to make place for a bigger and modern one. Groundbreaking took place on February 14, 2008. The construction cost 17 million, and the theater was reopened on January 14, 2010. It is adjacent to Istanbul Congress Center, a multi-level complex, which was built to host the 2009 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meeting.
The old theater had lowered its stage curtain after a performance of Keşanlı Ali Destanı (Keşanlı Ali’s Epic), a musical play by the renowned Turkish playwright Haldun Taner (1915-1986). It was also the same musical play that was staged on the reopening of the new theater venue.
The covered area of the new theater building is double so big as of the old building. It has a 400 sq m (4,300 sq ft) foyer. The theater has a rotating stage and an orchestra pit. Six dressing rooms for actors, two rehearsal rooms, and rooms for lighting and sound personnel are incorporated in the building. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 598.
The theater is connected with Istanbul Congress Center, and with a passage to Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center across the street, which is closed to traffic. A car park capable of 1,000 vehicles is available under the building.