Mitigating Factors.

"To all women whose right to life has been taken away..."

Under the same roof, the story unfolds of different worlds and shared pains. Two women, both in their late thirties, from different walks of life, come together. One reveals the systematic psychological and physical abuse hidden behind a seemingly perfect life, exposing how the ideal image of a spouse can transform into a form of servitude. The other brings to the stage the silent cry of a woman struggling to survive in a cycle of poverty and ignorance. These two women, Sultan and Yesim, who seem so different, meet on the same day, in the same place, facing different facets of the same fate. One is an employer, the other a domestic worker. What appears at first glance to be an ordinary cleaning day transforms into a shocking confrontation, where hidden secrets, suppressed anger, and invisible wounds are exposed. "Mitigating Circumstances" brings to the stage the violence, silence, and acceptance hidden within the mundane details of everyday life, using the sharp language of dark humor. How do invisible wounds deepen in relationships that society deems "normal"?
When does a woman stop talking? How much can she endure? When does she "lighten up"? This dark comedy, which keeps the audience away from easy answers, invites a re-examination of concepts like womanhood, motherhood, marriage, and justice with a shocking level of honesty. "Mitigating Circumstances" is a dark comedy that questions violence against women and societal gender roles, using the sharp language of humor. The play tackles the existential struggle of women who are forced to conform, exploring themes of motherhood, loyalty, freedom, and the pressure to be domesticated with a powerful and unsettling tone.

Colophon: Written and Directed by:

Yunus Emre Gümüş.
Cast:
İlknur Bayzit Çatal.
Nejla Özge Alban.

Poster Design: Emre Duygu.
Set Design: Serkan Baştürk.
Lighting Design: Onur Çatal.
Assistant Directors:
Ela Aslan
Ergül Aşık
Dila Aydın
Işık Kumanda: Fatih Ağılkaya.
Stage Director: Mustafa Aran.
Photo: Ömer Kara
Video: Mert Temizer
Video Gamer:
Cem Davran.
Zeynep Başar Cengiz.

With financial support from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.