Rustaveli Theatre
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 buildling 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. Unfortuantely, the unique masterpieces that onced adorned the lower level of the Rustaveli Theatre were whitewashed during the period of Soviet occupation 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 theater was funded by Alexander Mantashev and it was designed by Korneli Tatishev, Engineer of the Province, and Alexander Shimkevich, Tbilisi's Municipal Architect.
The theatre is currently home to three stages including, the main stage (about 800 seats), the minor stage and a black box theatre for experimental performances.
Robert Sturua is Rustaveli Theatre's current director.
Internet Links
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