Hugo ve Tolga Abi Cadı Sila'ya Karşı (Hugo and Tolga Against the Witch Scylla) is a Turkish interactive stage play designed for children aged 3 to 6. The show runs for approximately one hour and was performed in Istanbul during 2004–2005, under the direction of Recep Özgür Dereli.
In this playful adventure, Sila the Witch (originally Scylla), portrayed by Eda Özdemir, teams up with Donkroko (originally Don Croco) to devise a brand-new trap aimed at capturing Hugo and his family. The show combines live performance with interactive elements, inviting young audience members to participate in Hugo’s quest to outwit the villains and save his loved ones.
Plot[]
The story is about how Hugo and Tolga Abi, the host of the Turkish version of the TV show, outsmart Scylla, who kidnaps Hugo’s family in her pursuit of beauty. Scylla is a witch obsessed with her looks and willing to do anything to maintain them. What drives her mad is that her beauty potion won’t work without Hugolina and the children[1].
To achieve her goal, she teams up with Donkroko, the deposed king of the tropical island they live on, and seeks ways to trap them in a cage. In the first act, her evil plans begin to unfold during the Forest Talent Show organized by the woodland creatures, but in the second act, her schemes fall apart spectacularly.
Hugo’s best friend Fernando supports him via projection, while Jean Paul lends his help from the stage. In the Forest Talent Show, which Scylla and Donkroko try to rig, the most democratic outcome is ensured when the contestants collect votes from the audience during the intermission.
In the play, interactive games guided by the audience and shown on the projection screen symbolize Hugo’s struggle to rescue his family from Scylla. At the beginning, Scylla appears beautiful—before she kidnaps Hugolina and the children –Rit, Rat, and Rut– but as Hugo keeps succeeding in the games, she gradually reverts to her ugly form.
The play actively involves children, giving them the chance to answer questions and share their thoughts, and concludes with a happy ending. Thanks to the help of Fernando, Jean Paul, and of course, the audience, all of Scylla and Donkroko’s plans are foiled. In the end, Hugo is joyfully reunited with Hugolina and the children.