Übüleşme

(Ubu Roi)
Poster
2025

An illustrative poster design capturing the buffoonery and mysticism of Übüleşme—a bold adaptation of Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarry

Ubu Roi is one of the earliest examples of absurdist theater. In this adaptation, director Fatih Pazvantoğlu embraces buffoon theater as the staging method.

Three performers embody King Übü, recounting his tyrannical rule while satirizing the dictators of our own time.
A fusion of Shakespeare’s drama and Jarry’s irreverence—both timeless and timely.

Before starting to the design process I had to do a deep dive research. During my research, I discovered that Ubu Roi is a satirical take on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which inspired me to depict our trio of storytellers by the fire performing the Balkan tradition of  “Koleda” as a nod to the iconic "three witches”.

For the visual representation of Übü, I drew inspiration from the original 1896 premiere poster of the play.

Programme for the première of Ubu Roi (1896)