Kazakh National Drama Theater named after Mukhtar Auezov

1926present time
For its 95-year history, having become a symbol of the Kazakh theatrical art, the team strives for new creative achievements and by all means contributes and leads society to cultural and progressive ideals.

How it all started

The first professional creative team - the Kazakh State Academic Drama Theater named after Mukhtar Auezov was founded in 1925 in Kyzyl-Orda, and opened on January 13, 1926 with an excerpt from the play "Enlik-Kebek" by M. Auezov. Formation and creative development is closely connected with the names of such prominent figures as the first director D. Adilov and the first director Zh. Shanin, and the first artistic troupe included masters of folk art E. Omirzakov, S. Kozhamkulov, K. Badyrov, K. Kuanyshbaev, K. Zhandarbekov, A. Kashaubaev, I. Baizakov, K. Munaitpasov, Z. Atabaeva, Sh. Baizakova, M. Shamova and others.
Period
1926 - 1929

Relocation

In 1929, the theater was relocated to the new capital of the republic, the city of Alma-ata. The arrival of artists K. Baiseitova, K. Baiseitov, K. Beisov, Zh. Elebekov, M. Yerzhanov, Sh. Zhienkulova, K. Karmysov, K. Adilshinov, Sh. Abdullina, O. Zhumagulov, Zh. Ogizbaeva, R. Koishybaeva, A. Khasenov, A. Zholymbetov, S. Maikanova, H. Elebekova, R. Salmenov, H. Bokeeva, Sh. Zhandarbekova, B. Rimova, G. Syzdykova and others, allowed to master a variety of dramatic works. In 1934, being an integral part of the theater, new creative teams were created - the State Opera and Ballet Theater, the Philharmonic and the Kazakh Concert.
Period
1929

Status “Academic”

In 1937, the theater received the status of "academic". The repertoire includes productions by M. Auezov, B. Mailin, I. Zhansugurov, G. Musrepov, S. Mukanov, as well as Russian and foreign classics. In 1940, director A. Tokpanov staged the performance "Abai" by M. Auezov.
Period
1937

Achievements

In 1946, in honor of the 20th anniversary, the theater was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. In 1952, the theater was awarded the State USSR Prize. In 1954, the theater troupe was replenished with such actors as N. Zhantorin, I. Nogaibaev, T. Zhailybekov and others - all of them were graduates of Alma-Ata, Moscow, Leningrad and Tashkent. In 1958, in Moscow, at the “Days of Literature and Art of Kazakhstan”, the theater was presented with five performances. In 1961, the theater was named after the writer Mukhtar Auezov. The theatrical milestone was the work of director A. Mambetov (1965-1994). Directors B. Omarov, R. Seitmetov, K. Zhetpisbaev, A. Pashkov, Zh. Omarov, E. Obaev, Sh. Zulkash, M. Bayserkenov made their contribution by working with famous actors of the Russian school - M. Surtubaev, Z. Sharipova , I. Nogaibaev, F. Sharipova, A. Moldabekov, E. Zhaisanbaev, A. Ashimov, S. Orazbaev, N. Myshbaeva, T. Tasybekova, A. Kenzheev, A. Boranbaev, K. Tastanbekov, T. Zhamankulov, R Mashurova, G. Aspetova, T. Meiramov and others. Performances "Mother's Field" (Ch. Aitmatov, director A. Mambetov / 1964 /), "Lenin in 1918" (A. Kapler, director A. Mambetov / 1970 ./), “Blood and Sweat” (A. Nurpeisov, director A. Mambetov /1974/) was awarded the State Prize of the USSR. In 1976, the theater was awarded the Order of Friendship of Peoples.
Period
1946-1976

Museum

Since 1968, the theater museum has been operating, which has two exhibition halls. Since 1995, the annual theater festival "Theatrical Spring" has been held.
Period
1968 - today

Search for new forms of stage expression

In the nineties, during the formation of the independence of the republic, the period was marked by the search for new forms of stage expression in the productions of directors T. Zhamankulov, A. Rakhimov, B. Atabaev, K. Sugirbekov. Performances “Princess Turandot” by K. Gozzia, “Dark Hour” by M. Auezov, N. Orazalin, “The Seventh Ward” by A. Suleimenov, “Abylaykhan” by A. Kekilbaev, “Abai Desem” staged by B. Atabaev, “Angel with a Devil’s Face » R. Mukanova, «Sin of the Morning Star» by M. Zhumabaev, A. Tarazi, etc. staged in a new artistic and aesthetic direction. In 1996, the writer-playwright A. Suleimenov was awarded the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the triptych "Situations" (staged by director A. Rakhimov).  
Period
90s

New spirit of the times

The 21st century was marked for the M. Auezov Theater with a new contribution to understanding the interpretation of plays. The productions of "Abai", "Aiman-Sholpan" by the artistic director E. Obaev, professor, director were interpreted in a new way. Performances "Bright Love" by S. Mukanov, "Legend of Love" by G. Musrepov, "Before Sunset" by G. Hauptmann, "Hamlet" by W. Shakespeare, "Three Sisters" by A. Chekhov, "Obsessed" by D. Isabekov, " Evening in the "Empire"" S. Asylbekuly, "Kozhanasyr is alive!" T. Nurmaganbetov and many others were highly appreciated by the audience. According to the spirit of the time and integration into the world of art, the theater has gained experience and interacts with foreign colleagues. The first successful experiments in this direction were the production of the Russian playwright, director N. Ptushkina "Othello" (W. Shakespeare) and the Lithuanian director J. Vaitkus "The Spell of Korkyt" (Iran-Gayip). Today, experimentation in this area has become the norm. Directors A. Kakisheva and E. Nursultan replenished the repertoire of the theater with their productions, using modern technical achievements in scenography. New names appeared in the dramaturgy of M. Omarov, A. Bagdat, K. Murat based on the plays that were staged. Some of the new productions are "One Hundred Years of Love" by D. Isabekov, "Ahiko from Aktas" by M. Omarova, "Uncle Vanya" by A. Chekhov, "Anna Karenina" by L. Tolstoy, "Atilla and Aetius" by G. Tomsky and others. Currently, the theater has a high creative potential and this is the beginning of the process of integrating the theater into the global stage space. The theater troupe showed itself in London, Tokyo, Avignon. Participated and was awarded at the International Theater Festivals in Astana. The theater has been touring since 1928 and this is already the history of the theater - Moscow, Kazan, Ufa, Omsk, Tashkent, Bishkek, Brest, Iran, France, Egypt, Korea, Germany, Turkey, England, Japan, France ...
Period
XXI Century
On December 20, 2020, by decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the theater was given the "National" status.