Rustaveli Theatre
Encyclopedia
Rustaveli National Theatre (Geo. შოთა რუსთაველის სახელობის აკადემიური თეატრი) also referred to as Rustaveli State Drama Theatre, is found in Tbilisi
, Georgia
. The theatre is conveniently located at 17 Rustaveli Avenue
, one of the main streets in Tbilisi. It is the country's national dramatic theatre and the largest theatre in The Republic of Georgia.
es 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 Georgian 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 to 2005 the theatre underwent a thorough renovation, which was largely funded by Georgian businessman, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
(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.
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
, Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. The theatre is conveniently located at 17 Rustaveli Avenue
Rustaveli Avenue
Rustaveli Avenue - is an avenue in central Tbilisi named after the medieval Georgian poet, Shota Rustaveli. The Avenue starts at Freedom Square and extends for about 1.5 km in length, before it turns into an extension of Kostavas Kucha...
, one of the main streets in Tbilisi. It is the country's national dramatic theatre and 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 frescoFresco
Fresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
es on the walls and ceilings of the basement. These artists included Russian theatre set designer Serge Sudeikin
Serge Sudeikin
Sergey Yurievich Sudeikin, also known as Serge Soudeikine , was a Russian artist and set-designer associated with the Ballets Russes and the Metropolitan Opera...
, Lado Gudiashvili
Lado Gudiashvili
Lado Gudiashvili was a 20th century Georgian painter. Gudiashvili was born in Tiflis on March 18 , 1896 into a family of a railroad employee. He studied in the Tiflis school of sculpture and fine art , and later in Ronson's private academy in Paris...
and David Kakabadze
David Kakabadze
Davit' Kakabadze was a Georgian avant-garde painter, graphic artist and scenic designer. A multi-talent, he was also an art scholar and innovator in the field of cinematography as well as an amateur photographer...
, among others. Two important Georgian 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
Alexander Mantashev
Alexander Mantashev was a prominent Armenian oil magnate, industrialist, financier, and a philanthropist. By the end of his life he had become one of the world's wealthiest individuals.-Early life:...
and it was designed by Cornell K. Tatishchev and Alexander Shimkevich, Tbilisi's Municipal Architect.
From 2002 to 2005 the theatre underwent a thorough renovation, which was largely funded by Georgian businessman, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Performance facilities
The theatre is currently home to three stages including, the main stage (about 800 seats), the small stage (300 seats) and a Black Box TheatreBlack box theater
The black box theater is a relatively recent innovation, consisting of a simple, somewhat unadorned performance space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor.-History:...
(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.