İzmir Devlet Tiyatrosu — Konak Sahnesi

About İzmir Devlet Tiyatrosu — Konak Sahnesi

Konak Sahnesi is the historic home stage of İzmir State Theatre, in one of the city's best-loved early Republican buildings on Mithatpaşa Caddesi. Designed by the architect Necmettin Emre, it was begun in 1926 and opened in 1927 during the Republic Day celebrations. It served first as the Türk Ocağı and then as the Halkevi (People's House), hosting exhibitions, concerts, operettas and plays, and after the people's houses closed in 1951 it became an adult-education centre. On 14 April 1957 İzmir State Theatre was founded here, opening with the play Yağmurcu; it was the first regional theatre of Turkey's State Theatres. The building once stood right on the water, and actors are said to have arrived by boat, until the Mustafa Kemal Sahil Bulvarı coast road was built in front of it. What to look for - A fine example of the First National Architecture movement in İzmir: tiled, deep-eaved roofs, a many-sided domed tower and tile panels above pointed-arch windows - An auditorium of about 208 seats with original painted ceiling decoration, wall motifs and a hanging chandelier - A garden with large trees and a cafeteria After more than a year of restoration faithful to the original design, the building reopened to audiences in 2010. The company also performs at the Bozkurt Kuruç Sahnesi in the Bornova Culture and Arts Centre, the Karşıyaka Ragıp Haykır Sahnesi and the Urla Atatürk Culture Centre, so check the stage on your ticket. Box office: Mithatpaşa Caddesi No:110, Konak.