Alfred and Violetta
- Director: Leo Gabriadze
- Theatre:Gabriadze Theatre
- Hosting Theatre :Gabriadze Theatre
- Date:
- 1 September - 20:00 hr,
Author : Rezo Gabriadze
Director: Leo Gabriadze
Scenography by: Leo Gabriadze
Costumes Designer: Rezo Gabriadze
Composer: Leo Gabridaze
Cast :
Character voices:
Violetta - Nato Kakhidze
Alfred - Vano Dugladze
Germont - Erosi Manjgaladze
Nevermore - Ramaz Chkhikvadze
Sergo the Locomotive - Sergey Garmash
Cuckoo - Grigol Zhordania
Narrator - Otar Baghaturia
Tututsa - Davit Gotsiridze
Hundred-Percent - Apolon Kublashvili
Hard-as-nails - Nikoloz Kvantaliani
Hammer - Nikoloz Katsaridze
Arabian - Rusudan Bolkvadze
Monkey - Nanuka Khuskivadze
A vendor from Tbilisi flea market - Aleko Begalishvili
A bird from Tbilisi flea market - Nino Arsenishvili
Watermelon Seller - Davit Dvalishvili
Animators: Tamar Amirajibi, Imeda Guliashvili, Badri Gvazava Irakli Sharashidze, Medea Bliadze, Tamar Kobakhidze
Duration 75 min
About the performance:
The history of the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre began in 1981 with the play Alfred and Violetta. This timeless story of everlasting love, famously told through Alexandre Dumas fils’ novel La Dame aux Camélias (The Lady of the Camellias) and Giuseppe Verdi’s opera La Traviata, was given a fresh and unique artistic life by Rezo Gabriadze.
Forty years later, the play returns to the stage — but in a completely new form.
In the year before his passing, Rezo Gabriadze almost entirely rewrote and revitalized the play, introducing new characters and adapting the setting. He also created sketches of characters and stage designs, which served as the foundation for the production’s reimagined scenography. This work was completed by the theater’s artistic director, Leo Gabriadze, who brought the new vision to life.
The play is set across multiple locations — Tbilisi’s Mtatsminda district, Milan, Khashuri, Rome, Abastumani, Venice, and Dighomi.
This time, the story of Alfred and Violetta unfolds amidst the dramatic events that shook Tbilisi in the 1990s, and their love must overcome numerous challenges in this turbulent era.
The Gabriadze Theater stands in the heart of Tbilisi’s historic Old Town. Founded in 1981 by the visionary Rezo Gabriadze, the theater is an intimate venue seating only 80 people. Despite its modest size, it is recognized as one of the world’s premier cultural institutions.
This truly unique theater is the embodiment of one extraordinary artist’s vision. Rezo Gabriadze—screenwriter, director, painter, and sculptor—wrote the plays, crafted the puppets, and brought them to life on the theater’s stage. The Gabriadze Theater unifies the many facets of his creativity into a singular artistic space.
Currently, the theater’s repertoire includes:
• Alfred and Violette
• Marshal de Fantie’s Diamond
• The Autumn of My Springtime
• Ramona
The Gabriadze Theater company has toured extensively, performing at prestigious venues worldwide, including:
• Lincoln Center Festival, New York
• Avignon Festival, France
• Spoleto Festival, Italy
• Edinburgh Festival, Scotland
• Bogota Theater Festival, Colombia
• San Sebastian Festival, Spain
• Toronto World Stage Festival, Canada
• Barbican Center, London
• Théâtre de la Ville, Paris
• Kennedy Center Festival, Washington, D.C.
The humor, sadness, and joy of Gabriadze’s characters transcend language and culture, making his work universally accessible. His stories capture the full spectrum of human experience, leaving audiences laughing through their tears.
Rezo Gabriadze, often hailed as a “Georgian national treasure,” passed away in 2021. Yet, his artistic legacy remains profound and enduring, continuing to inspire all who encounter his work.
Since 2017, the Gabriadze Theater has been under the artistic direction of Leo Gabriadze, who carries forward his father’s creative spirit.
Artistic Director Leo Gabriadze
General Manager Natela Tsiklauri
Contact Information:
Tel: 599573470, mail: tamta_ge@yahoo.co.uk