Rustaveli Theatre

Rustaveli National Theatre
Rustaveli Theatre facing Rustaveli Avenue.
General information
Type	Performance venue
Architectural style	Baroque, Rococo
Location	Tbilisi, Georgia
Completed	1901
Owner	Municipality of Tbilisi
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Cornell K. Tatishchev, Alexander Shimkevich

Rustaveli National Theatre (Geo. შოთა რუსთაველის სახელობის აკადემიური თეატრი), is the national dramatic theatre in Tbilisi, Georgia. The theatre is conveniently located at 17 Rustaveli Avenue, one of the main streets in Tbilisi. It is the largest theatre in The Republic of Georgia.

History and Architecture

The building was originally founded in 1879 as an "Artists' Society." Upon request of the "Artists' Society" several celebrated artists were commissioned to paint frescoes on the walls and ceilings of the basement. These artists included Russian theatre set designer Serge Sudeikin, Lado Gudiashvili and David Kakabadze, among others. Two important Georgin painters, Mose and Irakli Toidze, eventually joined the project as well. Unfortunately, the unique masterpieces that once adorned the lower level of the Rustaveli Theatre were whitewashed during the period of Soviet rule and only a small portion of the frescoes has been able to be restored.

In 1921 the building was renamed Rustaveli Theatre. Construction of the theatre was funded by Alexander Mantashev and it was designed by Cornell K. Tatishchev and Alexander Shimkevich, Tbilisi's Municipal Architect.

From 2002-2005 the theatre underwent a thorough rennovation, which was largely funded by Georgian businessman, Bidzina Ivanishvili. The theatre is currently home to three stages including, the main stage (about 800 seats), the small stage (300 seats) and a black box theatre (182 seats) for experimental performances. The theatre is also available for conferences and events and houses a large ballroom, a small ballroom and a small foyer.

Robert Sturua is Rustaveli Theatre's current artistic director.

• 
  The main theatre stage.
• 
  Main theatre audience boxes & decorative ceiling.

External links

• Official site
• Resources on Georgian Parliament website.