Theater history
An Amazing Theatre!
Yes, isn’t it an amazing world, the majestic art of theatre! If you want to calm your mind, cleanse yourself, and immerse in contemplation and fantasies, the pursuit of art is undoubtedly the true purpose. For three thousand years, theatre has continuously provided its audience with aesthetic, spiritual, and cultural enjoyment, remaining a living source of the mysterious magic of global theatrical art. To meet and engage with this miracle, let’s embark on a journey into the amazing world of Kazakh theatre.
Ashirbek Syghay
The Kazakh National Musical-Dramatic Theatre named after Kalibek Kuanishbaev, which has been in existence for more than thirty years, has become widely known not only among the residents of the capital but also in other countries. Many studies have been written about the creative journey of the theatre. From the very first days of its founding, many intellectuals predicted a bright future for the theatre. Theatre experts such as Ashirbek Syghay, Yerzhan Zhuasbek, Baurzhan Nurpeis, and Saniya Abedinova have written specialized books about its history, directors, and actors.
The further history of theatrical art in the region continued in April 1917 with the public-political and cultural goal of organizing “Zhas Kazakh” under the leadership of Saken Seifullin. The active participation of youth and cultural figures contributed to the rapid development of the theatre, and in 1918, the play “Baqyt Zholynda” was presented. As a result, in 1919, a regional Russian-Kazakh theatre was opened in Akmol, founded by Saken Seifullin himself. The theatre opened its doors on December 3, but it did not have a permanent stage. In 1923, it was moved to the House of Nations. However, the joy of the residents was short-lived, and seven years later, this building burned down, leading to the cessation of the theatre’s activities.
In 1942, the theatre moved from Voroshilovgrad and temporarily settled in Makhachkala, and in 1943, it was restored as a regional Kazakh theatre. Repairs were made to a building that had previously been used as a women’s seminary, and the theatre became its permanent property. After the war, the Kazakh troupe was disbanded due to a lack of financial resources. In 1955, the theatre was named after Maxim Gorky and became permanently located in this building.
Years later, in 1989, a request was made to the “Qazaq Tili” society to create a Kazakh theatre in Tselinograd. On May 10, 1990, the “Tіl jəne mədəniet” public society was established in Tselinograd, one of the primary goals of which was to open a national dramatic theatre. Despite various obstacles, on July 28, 1990, a resolution was adopted to establish the Kazakh Musical-Dramatic Theatre.
The First Building (1991-2020)
On November 15, 1991, the theatre opened its curtains with the tragedy “Aqan Seri – Aktoqty” by Gabit Musrepov. The first production was directed by the founder of the theatre, the talented director, and Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, recipient of the D. Popov Gold Medal, Zhakyp Omaruly. Audiences eager for spiritual nourishment flocked to the Palace of “Tyn Igerushiler,” and the 1609-seat auditorium was completely filled.
In 1993, at the suggestion of the Deputy Minister of Culture, Ashirbek Syghay, the theatre was named after Kalibek Kuanishbaev to honor his 100th anniversary.
Thanks to the exceptional organizational abilities of Z. Omaruly, the opening of this theatre became possible in the capital. He invited specialists from various parts of the country, brought together actors of all ages, and played a key role in the establishment of the theatre.
In the Russian cultural environment, Z. Omaruly invested all his efforts into creating a Kazakh theatre. Initially, artists were invited, including the Honored Artists of the Kazakh SSR Sh. Junisov, R. Omarhanova, the winner of the Lenin Komsomol Prize of Kazakhstan, R. Baymaganbetov, G. Rashkaliyeva, K. Kemalov, B. Kemalova, M. Baysariny, T. Atymtaeva, B. Isabekova, S. Omarov, S. Kairzhanova, A. Abekova, N. Tanabayev, K. Jumashev, B. Ybraev, and A. Sultan. The theatre’s director was Torghauyt Shakhzadin.
In November 1992, the theatre’s company was invited to the Kazakhstan Theatre Festival in Almaty, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of writer G. Musrepov, and became a laureate.
The main focus of Z. Omaruly was on creating the theatre’s repertoire. After the tragedy “Aqan Seri – Aktoqty” by G. Musrepov, productions followed, such as “Mahabbat Araly” (1992) by A. Tawasrov, “Zharaly Guldar” (1992) by S. Junisov, “Shyrlang” (1992) by K. Yskakov, “Biz Perishte Emes Biz” by K. Mukhamajanov, “Kulyanym Menin” (1993) by O. Bokeev, and “Tanakoz” (1993) by M. Shakhanov.
In 1996, the theatre participated in the 2nd International Festival of Turkic Theatres in Ufa with the musical comedy “Aldar Kose” by Sh. Kusainov and won laurels in three categories: “For Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Art” – Director Z. Omaruly, “Award for Hope” – for the young troupe, and “Best Supporting Actor” – actor Sh. Junisov for his role as Shigay Khan. Unfortunately, the founder of the theatre, Z. Omaruly, passed away during this festival, dying of a heart attack.
After Z. Omaruly’s death, the People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, Kadyr Zhetpisbaev, invested much energy into the theatre. He continued Z. Omaruly’s creative direction, attracted new young specialists, and staged a number of bright productions. In 1997, the theatre accepted graduates from Taldykorgan, Almaty, and the Creative Academy named after T. Zhurganova, which played an important role in preparing the new generation of actors.
In 1999, by invitation from President N. Nazarbayev, director and national hero of Kazakhstan, A. Mambetov, became the artistic director of the theatre. Under A. Mambetov’s leadership, the theatre underwent a golden era of its creative growth. Between 1999 and 2008, productions such as “Qyz Zhibek” and “Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu” by G. Musrepov, “Karagoz” by M. Auezov, “Tulki Bikech” by F. Erven, “Bayansyz Baq” by V. Delmara, “Ghasyrdan Da Uzaq Kun” by Sh. Aitmatov, and “Vanya Agay” by A. Chekhov were staged.
The theatre worked with well-known artists such as G. Aspetova, T. Meiramov, Z. Meiramova, and N. Tashimova. During this period, the theatre gained international recognition, touring Cairo, Germany, Omsk, and Moscow, where it performed “Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu” on the stage of the “Mossovet” theatre.
From 2008 to 2013, the theatre’s artistic director was theatre scholar and candidate of art studies, Zhasbek Yerkin Tileukuly. Under his leadership, the theatre became academic. Thanks to his efforts, in 2011, the troupe was granted the status of “academic theatre.”
From 2014 to 2020, the theatre was led by People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, Talgat Temenov. During this period, the theatre toured Russia many times, participated in international festivals, and became a winner in several of them. The theatre was recognized as a cultural center for the entire country, and a new modern theatre complex was built for it.
In 2020, the Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, Kuandik Kystykbaev, was appointed as the artistic director of the theatre, a position he held until 2024. The theatre’s young artists were granted creative freedom. For the first time, the “QALLEKI Theatre Laboratory” was established within the walls of the theatre. The purpose of the laboratory was to create a communication space for creative individuals and to stage new plays with a non-traditional approach to art. The laboratory’s first production was “Uýqym kelmeydi”, followed by the performances “Keshki 7…” and “Vojcek.”
In 2024, the new artistic director of the theatre was appointed — the Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, G. Mirgalieva. Together with the theatre’s literary department, she launched the “Chitka” project, which revealed the directing talents of the theatre’s actors. As the artistic director and director, she staged the psychological drama “Parasat Maidany” in 2024, using the works of M. Auezov’s “Karagoz”, T. Abdiq’s “On qol”, and “Parasat Maidany”.
The repertoire of the Kazakh National Musical and Drama Theatre named after K. Kuanishbaev is continuously updated and enriched with modern productions of classic works. For example, the theatre stages plays based on the works of M. Auezov such as “Abai”, “Qorghansyzdyn künі”, “Ayman-Sholpan”, “Karagoz”, Sh. Aitmatov’s “Ghasyrdan da uzak kün”, “Qyzyl oramaldy shynarym”, “Aqqudyn kozy jasy”, S. Turgynbekuly’s “Mukhagali”, “Shamshe”, A. Dudariev’s “Kesh”, J. Patrick’s “Qymbatty Pamela”, I. Strauss’ “Zhumbaylar zhumbagy”, E. Khushvaktov’s “Qyzyl alma”, Sh. Murtaza’s “Bir kem dүnіe”, A. Vallejo’s “Kün säulesі tuspegenn”, V. Yezhov’s “Tyrualap ushqan tyrnalar”, M. Auezov and Q. Ysqaq’s “Qarash-Qarash”, O. Janaydarov’s “Zhut”, A. Chekhov’s “Shie”, W. Shakespeare’s “Othello”, G. Nizami’s “Layli-Majnun”, F. Bologna’s “Bailanys ayasy”, I. Kalman’s “Kabare zhuldzy”, R. Kuni’s “Tugan kün”, K. Kizi’s “7+1”, U. Esdaulat’s “Zere”, T. Assemkulov’s “Qunabai”, R. Mukhanova’s “Bopay Khanim”, O. Bokei’s “Uýqym kelmeydi”, M. Cervantes’ “Don Quixote”, Kh. Altai, Kh. Oralai’s “Altydan aughan el”, A. Menchell’s “Küzgі ingіr”, G. Musirepov’s “Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu”, E. Schmidt’s “Hat”, G. Pyanova’s “01”, Q. Zhetpisbaev’s “Bala merghen” (fairy tale), E. Zhuasbek’s “Üılený”, S. Balghabaev’s “Qyz jiyrmağa tolganda”, “Keshki 7” (performance-concert), D. Ramazan’s “Joshi Khan”, J. Shaikhislamuly, G. Musirepov’s “Qyz Jibek”, Q. Zhienbay’s “Patsha köngilim, ne deysiñ?!”, Eduardo De Filippo’s “Aiel qupiyasi”, G. Büchner’s “Vojcek”, Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais’s “Figaro’s wedding”, T. Abdiq’s “Parasat Maidany” are actively contributing to the cultural life of Astana.
The theatre’s acting ensemble consists of 86 actors, including 3 Honored Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 4 People’s Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 24 Honored Workers of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 8 laureates of the State Youth Prize Darın, 10 holders of the “Qurmet” Order, 2 laureates of the Youth Union of Kazakhstan Prize, 4 recipients of the “Eren Enbegi Üshin” Medal, 7 laureates of the “Serper” Prize, and 6 holders of the Youth Union Prize.
State Academic Kazakh Musical and Drama Theatre named after K. Kuanishbaev.
E-mail: kazteatr@mail.ru
For more information: + 7 /7172/ 27-02-35
