Georgian Theater

(full name. I. Chavchavadze Georgian Theater), a drama theater in Batumi. Professional companies began performing on a seasonal basis in Batumi beginning in 1912. In 1937 graduates of the Adzhar studio of the Sh. Rustaveli Georgian Theater (Tbilisi) formed the troupe of the Batumi theater. Its productions have included The Hotel Proprietress by Goldoni (1937). Al’kasar by Mdivani (1937). Kikvidze by Daraseli (1942), Bagration by Shervashidze (1942). The Exile by Vazha Pshavela (1945). Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (1946), Nairi by Loriia (1951), Othello by Shakespeare (1959). Grandmother, Iliko, Illarion, and I by Dumbadze and G. D. Lordkipanidze (1960), Waiting by Khal-vashi (1961), My Son Simon by Samsoniia (1963), Saints in Hell by Getsadze (1967). The Bridge by Chkhaidze (1969). and Dawn in Colchis by K. A. Lordkipanidze (1970). As of 1971 the theater company included People’s Artists of the Georgian SSR Iu. O. Kobaladze, A.D. Mgeladze, N. I. Te-tradze, and M. M. Khinikadze. G. G. Kavtaradze is the chief director.

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(full name, L. Meskhishvili Georgian Theater), a drama theater in Kutaisi. The professional theater company, created in the early 1880’s. adopted the realistic and democratic tradition of Georgian theatrical art. The work of the actor Lado Meskhishvili (V. S. Aleksi-Meskhishvili), director of the troupe from 1897 to 1906, was of great importance to the theater. The Weavers by Hauptmann (1905), The Neighbors by Ramishvili (1905), and The Last Ones by Gorky (1910) were staged at the theater. It was privately supported until 1921, when it became a state institution. M. F. Koreli, K. A. Mardzhanishvili, D. K. Antadze, and A. A. Vasadze have been its directors.

The theater’s best productions include Hurrah, We’re Alive! by Toller (1928), Uriel Acosta by Gutzkow (1929). Marriage of a Kolkhoz Farmer by Kakabadze (1938), The Enemies by Gorky (1939). Kikvidze by Daraseli (1942), The Stationmaster by Mosashvili (1947), Liitbov’ larovaia by Trenev (1955), The Exile by Vazha Pshavela (1958), The Ones From Yesterday by Dadiani (1966), and Antigone by Sophocles (1969). In 1940 the theater was named in honor of Lado Meskhishvili.

As of 1971 the theater troupe included People’s Artists of the Georgian SSR V. P. Megrishvili and Sh. M. Pirveli and the artists T. L. Gviniashvili. M. V. Gelashvili. T. I. Kik-nadze. B. M. Kokeladze. G. D. Kokeladze. K. V. Kol-khideli. and N. D. Pkhakadze.