Better Half
- Director: Sofio Kelbakiani
- Theatre:Temur Chkheidze Small Stage
- Hosting Theatre :Temur Chkheidze Small Stage
- Date:
Playwright – Maka Kukulava
Director – Sofio Kelbakiani
Production Designer – Elene Japaridze
Technical Director – Lika Mamiashvili
Video – Data Dvalishvili
Poster – Nikusha Shalikashvili
Cast: Mariam Jologua, Dima Tatishvili
About Performance:
If you think you know where this story is going — this is exactly where you are wrong.
Two people. One night.
The question — what the second half of life looks like.
This is an encounter where past and present blur into one,
where words sometimes wound more than silence,
and where every line is a choice — to stay or to leave.
The night stretches, time shifts,
yet the central question remains unchanged —
how each of them continues the second half of life, and at what
Director Sopho Kelbakiani and playwright Maka Kukulava began their creative collaboration in Temur Chkheidze’s workshop. The play “Second Half” was written within the framework of the Contemporary Art Development Center, led by Mr. Temur. Four years after his passing, a stage named after Temur Chkheidze was opened at the Marjanishvili Theatre. It is symbolic that the play “Second Half” will be performed on this very stage in Sopho Kelbakiani’s interpretation.
The performance is dedicated to the bright memory of Mr. Temur
Premiere: May 12, 2026
Duration: 90 minutes, no intermission
The Marjanishvili Theatre welcomes its 98th theatrical season with renewed creative energy and a contemporary artistic vision. For nearly a century, the theatre has remained one of the most important cultural institutions in Georgia, faithfully preserving the legacy of its founder — Kote Marjanishvili — while continuously seeking new artistic forms, modern perspectives, and innovative ways of engaging with audiences.
Through the synthesis of tradition and innovation, an intellectually rich repertoire, and a strong focus on the audience, Marjanishvili Theatre has established itself as a true “public theatre” — a social theatre that serves not only as a space for artistic expression, but also as a platform for dialogue, critical reflection, emotional connection, and cultural memory.
Today, Marjanishvili Theatre remains an integral part of Georgia’s cultural identity and continues to hold its position as one of the country’s leading theatrical institutions. It is a place where landmark productions are created and where the history of Georgian theatre continues to evolve.
From 1928 to 1933, the theatre’s Artistic Director was its founder, Kote Marjanishvili — an outstanding visionary who transformed Georgian theatrical thinking and introduced a completely new artistic direction. Following him, the theatre was led by distinguished theatre practitioners including Vasil Qushitashvili, Archil Chkhartishvili, Ushangi Chkheidze, Veriko Anjaparidze, Giga Lortkipanidze and Temur Chkheidze — artists who shaped some of the most remarkable eras in the theatre’s history.
Between 2006 and 2022, the theatre’s Artistic Director was Levan Tsuladze, whose leadership brought contemporary aesthetics, a new theatrical language, and bold artistic innovation to the institution. Today, the theatre’s Artistic Director is theatre director and educator Giorgi Margvelashvili.
Marjanishvili Theatre brings together some of Georgia’s finest actors, directors, designers, and composers — a creative team whose talent and dedication define the theatre’s continued relevance and success. Every premiere becomes a significant cultural event within Tbilisi’s artistic life.
The theatre’s activities extend far beyond stage productions. Marjanishvili Theatre is actively involved in educational, social, and international cultural projects.
Since 2015, the theatre has been a full member of the European Theatre Convention (ETC), the leading network of public theatres in Europe. Membership in the ETC enables the theatre to participate in international collaborations, co-productions, and innovative cultural initiatives alongside prominent European theatres.
The significance of the theatre has also been recognised internationally. Eighty-six years after its founding, The Guardian wrote:
“If the standard of other Georgian theatres comes anywhere close to that of the Marjanishvili, then theatre criticism in this country must surely rank among the world’s most enviable professions.”
Marjanishvili Theatre places great importance on social responsibility. The theatre regularly hosts and provides free admission to internally displaced persons, war and labour veterans, former prisoners and their families, socially vulnerable children and elderly people, as well as students of theatre universities.
Educational Projects
Since 2013, the theatre has been implementing the educational programme “One Hour at the Theatre,” through which school pupils and university students are introduced to the theatre’s history, unique archival materials, and museum collections.
International Projects
Within the framework of the European Union’s “Creative Europe” Culture Sub-programme competition in 2015, Kote Marjanishvili State Drama Theatre, in collaboration with the European Theatre Convention, received funding for the international project “European Theatre Lab: Drama Goes Digital,” implemented together with partner theatres across Europe.
The theatre maintains active collaborative and exchange projects with the United Kingdom, North Macedonia, Greece, Poland, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Italy.
About the Theatre
The theatre has two stages — the Main Stage and the Temur Chkheidze Small Stage
The company consists of both permanent ensemble members and invited actors
The theatrical season runs from September through June
Each year, the theatre undertakes 6–7 international tours and more than 10 tours across various regions of Georgia
Average audience attendance per season: 39,422 spectators
Number of performances per season: 374
Performances are held daily except Mondays
Main Stage seating capacity: 436
Temur Chkheidze Small Stage seating capacity: 102 seats