‘ortaoyunu’. Similarly, the one-act ‘Auto Oyunu’ on religious and pedagogical themes that was performed in Spain may also have been modified to ‘ortaoyunu’ by the Turks. Still another theory is that ortaoyunu is connected with the ‘Yeniçeri Ortaları’ or Janissary Divisions. If we consider that the ortaoyunu was indeed performed among Janissary troops, this view does not appear all that far-fetched. Furthermore, by an interesting coincidence the Janissary divisions were also called ‘Orta’. But since it would appear impossible to arrive at definite proof of any of these theories, it is of course better to limit the meaning of ortaoyunu to ‘a play performed in the open’.

BETWEEN TWO DANCES
Ortaoyunu begins with raucous Curcunabaz dances and again ends with dances, the actual play taking place between these two dances. The main parts of the performance are: Prologue, Dialogue, Play and Ending. Staged in a circular arena, ortaoyunu is a theatrical genre which is shaped by a continuous exchange between the