Epic theatre and its traces in Turkish theatre: Ayak Bacak Fabrikası

This thesis examines the concept of epic theatre, pioneered by Bertolt Brecht, and its traces in Turkish theatre through the example of Sermet Çağan's Ayak Bacak Fabrikası (The Foot and Leg Factory). Epic theatre emerged as a product of Brecht's effort to present social and political critique through art. By creating distance between the audience and the stage, it fostered a structure that encouraged them to think, question, and develop a critical perspective. In this context, key elements employed in epic theatre, such as the effect of alienation, the use of narrator, fragmented structure, and minimalist decor, create a critical distance by preventing the audience from forming an emotional connection with what they see on stage. The most significant characteristic distinguishing epic theatre from dramatic theatre is that the audience is guided towards a process of critical reflection rather than emotional catharsis. The second part of the thesis focuses on analyzing the impact of epic theatre on Turkish theatre and how the characteristics of this genre are implemented in Ayak Bacak Fabrikası (The Foot and Leg Factory). Çağan's work, influenced by Brecht's principles of epic theatre, has a structure that draws attention to social and political issues. This analysis is crucial for understanding the reflections of Brecht's theories on Turkish theatre and the methods Turkish playwrights employ to stage social critique. In this context, the analysis of the play, that is staged by Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality City Theatre, Ayak Bacak Fabrikası (Foot and Leg Factory) reveals the influence of Brecht's epic theatre theory on 21. century Turkish theatre and explores the use of theatre as a tool for social critique. Keywords: Epic Theatre, Turkish Theatre, Bertolt Brecht, Ayak Bacak Fabrikası.