Kyrgyz version
Russian version
Er Toshtuk tells the story of a 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. Some monsters are created by Javanese shadow puppets. Shaarbek Amankul created projections that form an organic part of the set built by Damir Nasybullin. Begaim Turumbekova is in charge of the lights, while the costumes are by Aynura Asanbekova.
Er Toshtuk opens May 23, 2008 19:00 at the B’Art Center (formerly City of Artists) 1 Karasayeva (Druzhba St) in Bishkek. The show will have two additional performances on May 24 and May 25 at 19:00, as well as an open dress rehearsal on May 22.
FREE, but seating is limited. Reservation can be made by calling 53-17-85, or Altyn at (0555) 40-89-40.
for more information contact:
Virlana Tkacz - yara@prodigy.net or Altyn at (0555) 40-89-40.
This project was made possible in part with funds from the US Embassy in Bishkek, the Fulbright Senior Scholar Fellowship Progrma, the Theatre Institute at the Kyrgyz National Academic Dramatic Theatre in Bishkek, Sakhna Theatre, and the Yara Arts Group, a resident company of La MaMa Experimental Theatre in New York.
photo by Carl Whetham with Umarbek Kadyrov
as Toshtuk and 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
created by Virlana Tkacz, Kenzhegul Satybaldieva
and the students of the Theatre Institute
of the Kyrgyz National Academic Dramatic Theatre
May 23-25, 2008, Friday - Sunday at 19:00
(preview Thursday May 22 at 19:00)
B'Art Center -- 1 Karasayeva (Druzhba) Street in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
FREE- seating limited - for reservations call (312) 53-17-85 or (555) 40-89-40
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 has been created in rehearsals by director Virlana Tkacz, Kenzhegul Satybaldieva and the students of the Theatre Institute at the Kyrgyz National Academic Dramatic Theatre, where Ms. Tkacz is a Fulbright scholar. The theatre piece uses the oldest known version of the text, recorded by Vasily Radlov and excerpts from Sayakbai Karalaev's renowned version, as well as additional songs and laments. Virlana Tkacz worked with Roza Mukasheva and Kenzhegul Satybaldiev to assemble 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 that will be provided for English speakers. Nurbek Serkebaev, will perform live the score he created for the show on traditional Kyrgyz instruments.
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