Istanbul is preparing for a theatre extravaganza where stage artists from Turkey and several foreign countries will treat the Turks to more than 70 plays within the scope of an international theatre festival in May.

The "16th International Istanbul Theatre Festival", organized by Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV), will be inaugurated at the Hagia Irene on May 15.

International groups from Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Lithuania, Denmark, Croatia and USA will stage performances at theatres in Istanbul during the festival.

American dancer and choreographer William Forsythe and his ensemble "The Forsythe Company", French actress Fanny Ardant, Danish ensemble Hotel Proforma, Lithuanian director Eimuntas Nekrosius and his ensemble Meno Fortas and Croatian group "BADco." will perform for Turkish audiences.

"Arca Azzurra", an Italian theatre group, will stage a play written by Turkish author, poet and screenwriter Murathan Mungan.

Nearly 25 plays and dance performances will be staged by Turkish actors for the first time, while conferences and workshops will be held by well-known actors and scholars.

The festival will end on June 4.