A concubine, an empire...
And a story never told by official history.”

Unofficial Roxelana brings to the stage the untold story of Hürrem Sultan, one of the most powerful female figures of the Ottoman Empire. Her journey from concubinage to the heart of the palace, and from there to becoming a woman who shaped the destiny of an empire, is retold through masks, shadow theatre, and authentic Ottoman music.

This project brings to life the eternal thirst for power, the invisible strength of women, and a confrontation with collective memory. Hürrem’s story whispers questions not only from the past but also from our present.

Premiered in 2024 in London as a collaboration between Nefes Productions and Asmalı Sahne London, the production played to sold-out audiences, building a strong bond with spectators. Now it embarks on a new journey to Camden Fringe after two of the world’s most prestigious performing arts festivals: the Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Festival and the London Viola Festival 2025

Our goal is to bring Hürrem’s multilayered world to diverse cultures, to showcase the original storytelling style of Turkish theatre, and to draw audiences into this magical world.