GELIN

When her overbearing mother arranges a marriage she doesn’t want, Aylin sends her best friend in her place – only for it to backfire when her future husband falls for the imposter.

Gelin is a modern adaptation of Ibrahim Şinasi’s Şair Evlenmesi, reimagined from the female characters’ perspective in present-day London.

Aylin, a young Turkish woman with a habit of telling tall tales, is blindsided when her overbearing mother, Sevim, arranges a marriage she doesn’t want. Instead of saying no, Aylin decides to send her bumbling British friend, Yaz, to meet Emre, the “perfect” groom, in her place, secretly convinced Yaz’s kookiness will scare him off. Only…Yaz and Emre actually click. But he still thinks she’s Aylin. As the lies pile up all the way to the wedding, Aylin is forced to confront why she tells so many stories to keep the peace – with her mother, her best friend and herself.

Inspired by the unheard voices in Şair Evlenmesi, Gelin explores the complexities women face across cultures, from family expectations to the fragile but powerful bonds of female friendships. Funny, charming and honest, Gelin asks whether a woman can be the ‘mükemmel gelin’ – the perfect bride – without lying about herself to make everyone happy.

Written by Estelle Warner

Directed by Erica Rosa Lima

Cast: Duru Agirbas, Elif Gulalp, Gunes Soysal, Pedro Millan Duke

Running time: Approx 90 minutes with a 15 minute interval

Ages Guidance: Ages 14 and above