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foto by Makoto Takeuchi with Ainura Kachkynbek kyzy as Bektoro


ER TOSHTUK


a magical, but humorous theatre piece about a
a journey into the underworld and out into the cosmos
based on a Kyrgyz epic


exteneded to Friday Oct 8, 2010
B'Art Center -- 1 Karasayeva (Druzhba) Street in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
FREE- seating limited - for reservations call 53-17-85, 53-00-92 (0772)839295


Er Toshtuk is an experimental theatre piece based on the Kyrgyz epic, featuring traditional music, as well as modern design and movement. The original theatre piece was created in rehearsals by directors Virlana Tkacz and Kenzhegul Satybaldieva with young artists and performed at La MaMa Experimental Theatre in New York to rave reviews.

Gwen Orel from Backstage wrote: “The epic is full of humor and terrific physicality. Azamat Serkebaev, a Kyrgyz actor who plays Chalkyuruk, the Magic Horse, captures horsiness with each whinny, leg kick, and look. His performance ought to be a requirement for every actor in New York, particularly those interested in physical work. When the horse gets homesick and misses his herd, you want to cry too (and give him a lump of sugar)… Kyrgyz actor Umarbek Kadyrov beautifully conveys callow arrogance growing to courage and gallantry. Er Toshtuk is a small gem bringing a new flavor to a New York palate.”

Er Toshtuk uses the oldest known version of the text recorded by Vasiliy Radlov, as well as excerpts from Sayakbay Karalaev, with additional songs and laments. Virlana Tkacz worked with Roza Mukasheva to create the performance text from the traditional sources and translate it into English. The show will be performed in Kyrgyz, but is very visual and can easily be followed with the summary of the scenes provided for English speakers. Nurbek Serkebaev will perform live the score he created for the show on a number of Kyrgyz folk instruments.

Er Toshtuk tells the story of the warrior named Toshtuk who falls into the Underworld, where with the help of some very unusual friends, he battles giants, monsters and killer kettle to find his soul. Eventually, Toshtuk saves the chicks in a nest on the Tree of Life and is flown to earth by their giant Mother Bird. Visually, the production combines traditional and contemporary elements. Er Toshtuk Er Toshtuk will play Sunday Oct 3 to Friday Oct 8, 2010 19:00 at the B’Art Center (1 Karasayeva (Druzhba) St in Bishkek. Seating is limited and reservation can be made by calling B’Art 53-17-85, 53-00-92 (0772)839295

This project was made possible in part with funds from the Studio Bygym, Open Society Institute (Budapest),Theatre Institute in Bishkek, Sakhna Theatre and the Yara Arts Group, a resident company of La MaMa Experimental Theatre in New York.

For plot summary see Er Toshtuk - plot

For press and photographs see:
Er Toshtuk March-April, 2009 at La MaMa in New York

For information and photographs from Yara's previous work with Kyrgyz epics see:
Janyl Myrza Returns to her Homeland August 2007
Janyl in New York March 2007
For pictures from Yara's research into the Celestial Mountains July 2006
For pictures and information on Yara's workshop of Janyl Myrza in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan August, 2006
For information on related Kyrgyz Spring in New York


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