Tashkent theaters

Going to the theatre is considered to be a favourite pastime of the Uzbek people. Every region of the country has its own theatres with a deep history. Tashkent’s theatre scene is full of spaces where the classical repertoire mixes with innovation and experimentation. Discover the capital’s stages, which host a rich creative history and young, avant-garde casts.

Words by Valeria Galikhanova

Photos by Yuriy Polyanskiy, Anna Shishkina, and Yuliya Suvorova

ILKHOM THEATRE

OF MARK WEIL

The first independent Ilkhom Theatre has been operating since 1976 and was conceived as the Experimental Studio of Theatrical Youth. Founded by its director Mark Weil, the first troupe consisted of graduates of the Tashkent Theater Institute.

J.B. Moliere's Tartuffe at the Ilkhom Theatre

Currently, actors from the theatre are successfully touring Europe’s drama festivals. Audiences love the Ilkhom, including international casts in which Uzbek, Russian, English and French languages are often spoken.

“The theatre is a living organism and it reacts sensitively to what is happening around us,” says artistic director Boris Gafurov. “From our stage, we talk about love, today's circumstances and the people in these circumstances. This is the main thing – what the Ilkhom Theatre lives by.”

Ilkhom Theatre

Modern interpretations of classical works are presented in the theatre’s chamber hall. In addition to the venue, Ilkhom is home to the Mark Weil Studio, an artistic educational centre created according to Weil’s teaching methods. There is also an exhibition hall, a platform for writers’ meetings, jazz and rock performances, and an inclusive theatre laboratory.

5 Pakhtakorskaya St, Tashkent

www.ilkhom.com

SILK ROUTE MARIONETTES

THEATRE STUDIO

The only puppet theatre in Central Asia, Silk Route Marionettes contains a workshop where dolls, decorations and props for performances are created. The costumes and decoration incorporate the stunning applied arts of Uzbekistan: suzani, gold embroidery and fabrics like adras, silk and satin.

A professional troupe of actors stages performance based on eastern and western fairy tales. Obedient to the slightest movements, mysterious, and strangely human-like, the puppets give audiences the chance to see a fairy tale come to life.

The theatre’s uniqueness lies in the fact that all actors learn a special puppeteering technique here. And every spectator has the opportunity for behind-the-scenes visits and a glimpse into the mysterious world of puppets.

Inside Ecopark, Tashkent

STATE ACADEMIC GRAND THEATER

OF UZBEKISTAN BY ALISHER NAVOI

One of the most outstanding buildings in Tashkent will celebrate 75 years in 2022. Built in 1946, the Bolshoi Theatre and the adjacent grounds, home to a musical fountain, make up a significant landmark and form the heart of the cultural life of the city.

State Academic Grand Theatre from the inside

The capital’s leading theatre stages world-famous operas, such as The Queen of Spades, Carmen, and ballets like Swan Lake, Don Juan, Romeo and Juliet, and Faust. A highlight on stage here since 2021 is Lazgi – the Dance of Soul and Love – a modern ballet interpretation of Uzbek folk dance.

For many years, the Alisher Navoi Theatre has been successfully building strong creative ties with international choreographers and directors. In 2015, the theatre reopened after a major renovation. In addition to the main programme, a number of accessible performances with audio commentary are held in each season.

State Academic Grand Theatre from the outside

28 Zarafshan St, Tashkent

www.gabt.uz

YOUTH THEATRE

OF UZBEKISTAN

One of the oldest theaters in Central Asia, the Youth Theatre celebrates its 95th anniversary in 2023. It was founded in 1928 by two enthusiasts — a doctor, S. Etienne, and the artist S. Malt. At the start, it did not have its own premises, decorations or costumes, but was driven by a great desire to convey the joy of scene creativity.

Based on national traditions and schools of Russian and European dramatic arts, the Youth Theatre has a rich, creative biography. It always has something to offer to audiences of all ages. Currently, the theatre’s repertoire includes around 40 performances. For many years, it has represented Uzbekistan at international forums and festivals. International theatre critics and directors note the troupe’s ambition and ability to intertwine elements of theatre based on eastern and western traditions. The theater also contributes to the development of an inclusive environment in society and includes a number of performances with audio description in its repertoire.

In early 2022, the theatre was closed for renovations but continues to hold performances at other venues; information is available on the website.

55 Navoi St, Tashkent

www.mtu.uz

STATE THEATER OF MUSICAL COMEDY

(OPERETTA) OF UZBEKISTAN

The Operetta Theater is preparing to celebrate its half-century anniversary. Over the 50 years of its existence, its repertoire has branched in four directions.

Classic performances of world heritage are a staple. For example, Emmerich Kálmán’s The Bayadere and The Circus Princess, The Gypsy Baron by Johann Strauss II, Once in New York by Irving Berlin, and the musical My Fair Lady. These enrich the theatre’s repertoire and give great scope for the creativity of the cast.

The theatre also stages original Uzbek works, such as the musical comedy Khoja Nasreddin by composer Enmark Salikhov, the play Heart in the Palm of your Hand, which is dedicated to the memory of Botir Zakirov (People's Artist of Uzbekistan).

As well as works of modern operetta from Central Asian countries, there is a large children's repertoire of musical fairy tales in Russian and Uzbek.

4a Chapanata St, Tashkent

www.operetta.uz

ACADEMIC RUSSIAN

DRAMA THEATRE

Facade of the Academic Russian Drama Theatre

The Russian Drama Theatre of Uzbekistan is a place where Uzbek and Russian cultures are closely intertwined. It was opened in 1934 and in 1967 received the status of academic theatre. Since 1994, the theatre has operated a studio school for young actors.

Today, this theater is one of the flagships of Uzbekistan’s national theatrical arts and its 88-year history is an inseparable part of Uzbek culture. It has played an important role in the promoting Russian culture, literature and language in Uzbekistan.

A performance of Hamlet at the Academic Russian Drama Theatre

The theatre’s repertoire consists of performances based on plays by Russian and Uzbek classics, popular satirists and playwrights. Many audiences find Uzbek poetry and drama especially valuable and the theatre prioritises these when planning and choosing a production. The play Confusion of the Righteous, based on the poem of the same name by Alisher Navoi, was enthusiastically received.

The new season will feature modern dramas and tragicomedies including The Lonely Boat by E. Agzam, Aesop by Guilherme Figueiredo, Baby by J. Letraz, How to Steal Diamonds by R. Houdon and others.

24 Zarafshan St, Tashkent

www.gardt.uz