The Theater of Kyrgyzstan in the 20s-80s

Before the Great October Revolution, the Kyrgyz did not have a national professional theater. However, throughout their centuries-old history, the people created their rich, unique art, filled with theatrical elements. Performances by manaschis (epic storytellers) and akyns-improvisers resembled a one-man theater.

In the republic, a national opera and ballet theater, three dramatic theaters, two musical-dramatic theaters, a philharmonic, and a circus have been built.

In November 1926, a musical-dramatic studio was established in Frunze. This date is considered the day of the birth of Kyrgyz professional theater, as the studio functioned both as an educational institution and a creative collective. Many graduates of the studio (A. Kuttubaev, K. Mademilova, A. Botaliev, etc.) later became members of the troupes of professional theaters and became well-known actors and theater figures.

Ashirali Botaliev dedicated more than half a century of his life to the theater. One of the founders of national theatrical art, he rose from being a homeless child to becoming a People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR. Interestingly, he began his creative journey on the opera stage. Possessing good vocal abilities, A. Botaliev was one of the first opera singers in the republic. He sang the roles of Iskender ("Ajal orduna" by D. Turusbekov), the shepherd Taza ("Kokul" by M. Raukhverger), and others. Later, the actor devoted himself to dramatic art, where his extraordinary talent truly manifested.

The magnificent actor A. Botaliev created a whole gallery of impressive characters on the Kyrgyz stage in performances such as "The Government Inspector" by N. V. Gogol, "Intrigue and Love" by F. Schiller, and others.

For the first time in the history of Kyrgyz art, he embodied the image of V. I. Lenin on stage. The performances "The Man with a Gun" by N. Pogodin, "On High Ground" by K. Malikov, and "The Family" by I. Popov were met with consistent success.

The premiere of the musical drama "Altyn Kyz" ("Golden Girl") took place on May 12, 1937, in Frunze. The music was composed by V. Vlasov and V. Fere, with the libretto written by the author of the poem J. Bokonbaev. The performance was conducted by Sh. Orozov, directed by O. Jetikashkaev, and the artistic design was by G. Aitieev.

The success of "Altyn Kyz" among the first audiences is evidenced by the fact that 50 performances were given in the first year. In 1937, All-Union Radio organized a musical broadcast in which leading Soviet artists performed the best excerpts from the musical drama in Russian. Due to its excellent melodic qualities and successful approach to developing national folklore, the musical drama "Altyn Kyz" entered the golden fund of Soviet art.

April 12, 1939, became the birthday of Kyrgyz national opera. On this day, the premiere of the opera "Aichurek" by composers V. Vlasov, A. Maldybaev, V. Fere, and librettists J. Turusbekov, J. Bokonbaev, and K. Malikov took place. The role of Aichurek was played by S. Kiyizbaeva, the role of Kul-Choro was sung by A. Maldybaev, and Kalyman was performed by A. Kuttubaeva. The libretto is based on one of the fairy tale episodes of the Kyrgyz epic "Manas".

In May 1986, the opera "Aichurek" was staged again at the Kyrgyz State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after A. Maldybaev. The new production of the opera was carried out by director K. Arziev and choreographer, People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR, State Prize laureate of the USSR U. Sarbagishev.

The set designer of the opera was the Honored Artist of the Kazakh SSR V. Semizorov. The new performance featured People's Artists of the USSR B. Minzhilkiev, A. Myrzabaev, K. Sartbaeva, X. Mukhtarov, People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR M. Temirbekov, and Honored Artists of the republic E. Kasymov, V. Mukovnikov, and others.

The Kyrgyz State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after A. Maldybaev is widely known for its performances not only in Kyrgyzstan but also beyond its borders. During the Soviet era, over 150 opera and ballet performances were staged on its stage. Among them are "Eugene Onegin" by P. Tchaikovsky (1942), "Rusalka" by A. Dargomyzhsky (1951), "Faust" by Ch. Gounod (1959), "Giselle" by A. Adam (1959), and others.



In the national ballet-opera repertoire are the operas "Manas" by V. Vlasov, A. Maldybaev, V. Fere (1945), "Caution, Bride" by N. Davlesov (1971), and many others.

The theater was the first in the USSR to stage the operas "Optimistic Tragedy" by A. Kholminov (1965), "Dawn Here is Quiet" by K. Molchanov (1973), "Mephistopheles" by A. Boyko (1978). It was one of the first in the USSR to stage "Romeo, Juliet and Darkness" (1966) and "Unknown Soldier" (1967) by K. Molchanov, "Don Juan" by L. Feigin (1968), "Peter I" by A. Petrov (1977), and others.

In 1939, the Kyrgyz State Theater of Opera and Ballet was awarded the Order of Lenin. In 1958, for its achievements in the development of theatrical art in the republic, the theater was granted the title "Academic".

The premiere of the first Kyrgyz ballet "Anar" by V. Vlasov and V. Fere took place on the 23rd anniversary of the Great October Revolution in 1940. The libretto was written by K. Eshmambetov and N. Kholfin.

In the development of musical-theatrical art in the republic, a significant role belongs to the People's Artist of the USSR K. Moldobasanov. As a conductor, he staged over 30 performances in the theater. As a composer, he created the first comic Kyrgyz ballet "Kuyruchuk" and a work that was the first in the history of Kyrgyz music to receive the State Prize of the USSR — "Maternal Field".



In December 1944, the premiere of the ballet "Cholpon" by M. Raukhverger took place at the Kyrgyz State Theater of Opera and Ballet, becoming one of the peaks of national ballet classics. The first performers were B. Beyshenalieva (Cholpon), J. Arzygulova (Aydai), N. Tugelov (Nurdin). Filmed in 1959 after the Second Moscow Decade, the film-ballet "Cholpon" was screened in 104 countries around the world, introducing millions of viewers to Kyrgyz art.

The success of the film was significantly aided by the high mastery of the performers: Cholpon — R. Chokoeva, Nurdin — U. Sarbagishev, Aydai — B. Beyshenalieva, Temirkhan — N. Tugelov.

The small aiyl of Chaek, located high in the Tian Shan mountains, gave rise to one of the first directors, Otunchu Sarbagishev, People's Artist of the USSR Muratbek Ryskulov, Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR Tatybubu Tursunbaeva, and talented poet Midi na Alybaev.

Many talents were born on the sunny land of Kyrgyzstan. There are even entire "musical" villages. For example, the village of Kara-Bulak produced three composers: A. Maldybaev, A. Amanbaev, and N. Davlesov. And in the village of Chokuldosh were born composer A. Tuleev and singer S. Kiyizbaeva.

The lights go out. The stage lights come on. Hundreds of people, holding their breath, freeze. The performance begins.

Every day, the residents of Frunze came to this beautiful modern building to meet their beloved heroes once again: the brave Seyde, the wise and humane Tolgonai, the gentle Asel. The artists of the Kyrgyz Academic Theater of Drama of the Order of the Red Banner of Labor captivate the audience with their art.

Baken Kydykeeva is the most famous actress of the Kyrgyz dramatic stage and Kyrgyz cinema. Her creative life is connected with the Kyrgyz Theater of Drama of the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. Here she has played the best roles in plays of modern Kyrgyz dramaturgy, creating a whole gallery of images in plays by Russian and foreign authors. The actress's talent is also widely recognized in cinema. She created the images of Tolgonai in the film "Maternal Field," Saltanat in the first Kyrgyz feature film of the same name, and others.



In one of the spacious halls of the Museum of Fine Arts of the Kyrgyz SSR stood a granite sculptural portrait — "People's Artist of the USSR M. Ryskulov as King Lear" (author sculptor T. Sadykov). Not long ago, the living, passionate Muratbek Ryskulov (1909—1974), playing Shakespeare, held the theater hall in great tension...

In 1971, the whole world celebrated the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare. From the Soviet Union, among other outstanding performers of Shakespeare's repertoire, M. Ryskulov was sent to England. Eight times the discerning connoisseurs of the genius playwright's work called Ryskulov to the stage of the Shakespeare Theater, and eight times Ryskulov read the same monologue of Lear. He read it in Kyrgyz. And he was very worried that, appearing on stage in a regular European suit, he would not be perceived as Lear, without costume and makeup, speaking in a language unknown to the audience. But the audience did not let him go even after he apologized through a translator for not knowing English.



King Lear, performed by the People's Artist of the USSR, laureate of the State Prize of the Kyrgyz SSR named after Toktogul, shocked the audience.

Byubusara Beyshenalieva is an outstanding Soviet ballerina, People's Artist of the USSR, laureate of the State Prize of the Kyrgyz SSR named after Toktogul. The formation and development of Kyrgyz national ballet is closely associated with Byubusara's name.

In 1936, 20 Kyrgyz children saw a train for the first time and heard the word Leningrad; and the oldest choreographic school seemed to them a fairy tale home. At that time, ballet did not exist in Kyrgyzstan. While in other nations it developed based on national dances, in Kyrgyzstan, everything started from scratch...

Upon returning from Leningrad, the ballerinas brought classical ballet to the republic. Among them was Byubusara Beyshenalieva. She was the first Kyrgyz performer of most leading roles: the touching Cholpon, Odette from "Swan Lake," the cheerful Kitri from "Don Quixote," the dazzling Fanny from "Grand Waltz"... The images created by the ballerina will forever remain in the memory of the Kyrgyz audience.



A song! The Kyrgyz never part with it. Neither in joy nor in sorrow. And they know how to sing broadly and soulfully. This can be confirmed by listening to Kairgul Sartbaeva, who held the honorary title of People's Artist of the USSR, laureate of the Lenin Komsomol Prize of Kyrgyzstan. She is listened to not only in Kyrgyzstan. Many are familiar with the joyful, bright art of K. Sartbaeva. The artist's range is extremely wide. Her repertoire includes roles in the operas "Aichurek," "Carmen," "Othello," "Chio-Chio-San," "Faust"... The images created by the singer attract with their sincerity and purity.

Many ballet lovers are fans of the talent of Aysulu Tokombaeva, our prima ballerina, People's Artist of the USSR, laureate of the State Prize of the USSR and the Lenin Komsomol Prize of the republic. Aysulu Tokombaeva's repertoire includes more than 20 different characters in terms of nature and emotional coloring: Donna Anna ("Don Juan") and Svoboda ("Bolero"), Giselle ("Giselle") and Masha ("The Nutcracker"), Tolgonai ("Maternal Field") and Asel in the ballet "Asel." The ballerina's dance is professionally precise, plastically expressive, and memorable.



People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR, laureate of the State Prize of the Kyrgyz SSR named after Toktogul, soloist of the Kyrgyz Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after A. Maldybaev Toktonaly Seytaliev has created many roles in a variety of operas from Russian, foreign, and Kyrgyz repertoires. The singer's art captivates with emotional freshness, artistic perfection, and high professionalism. The artist has traveled to various corners of the country and has toured extensively abroad. Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Poland, Algeria, Syria, Turkey warmly welcomed him.

Among the seven theaters in the republic, the Osh Kyrgyz Dramatic Theater is the youngest. It was formed in 1972 on the basis of the Jalal-Abad City Palace of Culture. The main composition of the creative team consists of graduates of the GITIS named after A.V. Lunacharsky. 95% of the creative workers are youth. The chief director of the theater is the Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR I. M. Ryskulov.

Despite its youth, the theater has confidently announced itself, and its best productions have gained fame beyond Kyrgyzstan. For example, the play "The Speckled Dog Running Along the Edge of the Sea," directed by I. M. Ryskulov and artist Yu. Nurmatov, became a laureate of the All-Union Youth Theater Competition in Tbilisi in 1982.



In 1937, in the heart of the Tian Shan, in the high-altitude Naryn, a mobile kolkhoz-sovkhoz theater was born. The Naryn Regional Musical-Dramatic Theater proudly bore the name of one of the most talented sons of the Kyrgyz people — Muratbek Ryskulov, People's Artist of the USSR.
The theater's repertoire includes classics, modern dramaturgy of various genres and directions. High in the mountains, the heroes of W. Shakespeare and N. Gogol, V. Vishnevsky and M. Karim came to life on stage before Kyrgyz audiences... The foundation of the theater's repertoire consists of the best works of Kyrgyz playwrights K. Jantošev, T. Abdumomunov, Ch. Aitmatov, B. Dzhakiev, and others.

This collective is the only Kyrgyz musical-dramatic theater in the republic. On its stage, musical works such as "Altyn Kyz" by J. Bokonbaev, "Caution, Bride" by N. Davlesov, "Arshin Mal Alan" by U. Gadzhibekov, and others are performed.

In the autumn of 1935, the Russian Dramatic Theater was opened in Frunze, formed from graduates of the Moscow Institute of Theater Arts named after A. V. Lunacharsky (later this theater was named after N. K. Krupskaya).

The Russian Dramatic Theater greatly contributed to the establishment of Kyrgyz dramaturgy and the growth of creative personnel in national art. The theater named after N. K. Krupskaya became a true representative of Russian dramatic art in the republic.

During its existence, the collective has staged more than 25 plays, and in the theater's posters of recent seasons, alongside Russian classics, are plays by A. Arbuzov, V. Rasputin, A. Telman, Ch. Aitmatov, and other playwrights.

Among the masters of the stage of the theater are the People's Artists of the Kyrgyz SSR L. Yasinovsky, V. Ofitserov, G. Karkotsky, G. Varnavsky, and others.



The theater in the village... This idea belongs to the Kyrgyz Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after A. Maldybaev. In 1976, at the initiative of the collective of the kolkhoz named after the 21st Party Congress in the Sokuluk district, a branch of the theater was opened. Only in 1979, 19 performances and concerts featuring leading masters of the stage were shown in the branch, attended by nearly 4,000 people.

This initiative was supported by the Kyrgyz and Russian dramatic theaters. In 1979, branches of the Russian Dramatic Theater were opened in the "Trud" kolkhoz of the Kant district, and the Kyrgyz one in the city of Balikchy.

The audience was offered works of world, Russian classics, Soviet, and national dramaturgy.

The play by Ch. Aitmatov and K. Mukhamedzhanov "Ascent to Fujiyama" has traveled to the stages of most theaters in the world and has become a true bright event in many Soviet and foreign theaters. Its staging geography is simply amazing: Turkey, Norway, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Japan, Hungary, the United States of America.

The creative path of Darkul Kuyuкова is the usual path of many of her peers, to whom the Soviet power opened the road to a previously unknown, alluring, and joyful world of art. The daughter of a collective farmer, Darkul came to the theater at a very young age in 1936. She has created dozens of images in the classical and modern repertoire. She is the oldest master of the national stage. Among the dramatic actresses of Kyrgyzstan, Darkul Kuyuкова was the first to be awarded the honorary title of People's Artist of the USSR.

The story of the emergence and establishment of the Osh Uzbek Musical-Dramatic Theater is also interesting. As early as 1919, enthusiastic artists created an agitbrigade that accompanied the Red Army in campaigns against the Basmachi. During short breaks, the actors, who became fighters during battles, put down their weapons and performed plays by Uzbek authors.

In 1929, based on this dramatic circle, the Osh Musical-Dramatic Theater was established. Interestingly, for a long time, male actors played female roles here. In the late 1920s, actresses first appeared on stage. These were women who boldly broke away from the age-old customs of female oppression. Some of them paid for this with their lives: talented actresses N. Yuldasheva and R. Parpieva were killed by the hands of enraged defenders of Islam.