A groundbreaking cultural bridge is being built this winter at London’s Canal Café Theatre. An all-female international creative team is set to premiere Gelin (meaning "Bride"), a contemporary reimagining of Ibrahim Sinasi’s 1859 comedy, The Wedding of a Poet.
Running from January 31 to February 1, 2026, the play swaps the Ottoman Empire for the vibrant, multicultural streets of modern London.
A Modern Twist on a "Rebellious" Classic
Originally written as an ironic critique of arranged marriage, Sinasi’s work was the first original Turkish play, though it was never performed in his lifetime due to its subversive nature. Now, 160 years later, producer and actor Duru Agirbas is breathing new life into the story by giving a professional voice to the historically "unheard" female characters.
The plot follows Aylin, a young woman facing the pressure of an unwanted arranged marriage orchestrated by her overbearing mother. In a desperate bid for freedom, Aylin sends her British best friend, Yaz, in her place—a plan that hilariously backfires when the prospective groom falls for the imposter.
Building Cultural Bridges
The production explores the "mükemmel gelin" (perfect bride) myth, examining whether women can find independence without compromising their identity. For Agirbas, the project is deeply personal.
"Watching Gelin should feel and sound like you’re in a real Turkish household with London on your doorstep," says Agirbas. "There is a huge diaspora community here, and drawing on this tapestry offers a viewpoint rarely seen on UK stages."
An International Collaboration
Directed by Erica Rosa Lima and written in collaboration with Estelle Warner, the production features a diverse team of theatremakers from Turkey, the UK, Portugal, Brazil, and China. The play blends Turkish theatrical traditions with the sharp, tragicomic wit of modern British influences like Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag.
For Agirbas, who studied at UAL and has been contributing to the London theatre scene for nearly 6 years, the project is deeply personal.
By addressing generational clashes and the digital-first dating world, Gelin proves that the pressures of marriage and cultural expectation remain a timeless, universal struggle.
Venue: Canal Café Theatre, Delamere Terrace, Little Venice, London W2 6NG
Dates and times: Saturday 31 January, 7pm and Sunday 1 February, 7pm
Age guidance: Recommended for ages 14+ (Adult Content)
Running time: Approx 90 mins (inc 15 min interval)
Prices: £8 / £10 - Buy
here.
Social media: @gelin_play @CanalCafeTheatreCreative Team Director: Erica Rosa Lima Assistant Directors: Christy Cheung and Nejla Yasar Writer: Estelle Warner Co-producers: Duru Agirbas and Nejla Yasar Set Designer: Mingchi Yan Costume Designer: Zeynep Agirbas
Performers:Gunes Soysal: Aylin
Elif Gulalp: Yaz
Duru Agirbas: Sevim
Pedro Millan Duke: Emre
