Artists

SACHNA (Kyrgyz Republic)

The Nomadic theatre “Sakhna”
Kerez or Kurmanbek
(Revival of the Kyrgyz small epics)

Company Director: Nurlan Asanbekov

Kerez (an original theatre piece created by the Sakhna theatre of Bishkek based on the epic Kojojash as told by Alykul Usenbaev)

Author of play, director: Nurlan Asanbekov
Design: Uldash Nurmatov
Choreographer: Sergei Streltsov
Costumes: Ainura Asanbekova
Texts: Alymkan Degenbaeva
Manager: Ernis Ibraimov
Cast:
Kojojash – Munarbek Alibaev
Syr-Echki – Kenzhegul Satybaldieva
Zulaika – Alymkan Abdykadyrova
Alabash – Ilgis Zhunusov
Narrators – Omyrzak Kayipov
Shaman – Baktykul Dzhanybekov
Guard men – Mairambek Borbogoev
Prophet – Asel Maamytova
Musician – Altynbek Maksytov

Duration: 75min.

 

 

Kurmanbek

Author of play, director: Nurlan Asanbekov
Design: Uldash Nurmatov
Choreographer: Sergei Streltsov
Costumes: Ainura Asanbekova
Texts: Omyrzak Kayipov, Kenzhegul Satybaldieva
Manager: Ernis Ibraimov
Cast:
Kurmanbek – Ilgis Zhunusov
Akhan and narrator – Omyrzak Kayipov
Delen, Bakbyrkhan – Baktykul Dzhanybekov
Ekezkhan, Teitbek – Munarbek Alibaev
Aikanysh – Alymkan Abdykadyrova
Guard men – Mairambek Borbogoev
Actors – Kenzhegul Satybaldieva, Asel Maamytova
Drummer – Altynbek Maksytov

Duration: 70 min.


Using the means of the modern theater Sakhny performers reproduce the Kyrgyz epics. To best achieve this, they employ elements of theater, music and sculpture. The irregular rhythmic patterns of music, ritual dances, overlapping sounds and surreal light are not easily forgettable. Yet, it is important to note that the entire play is an invitation into the regions of fascinating, new experiences.

The art of Kyrgyz epic tellers is on the UNESCO list of Non-Material and Verbal Heritage Masterpieces.

Sakhna (roughly translated into “the stage”) is, in the Kyrgyz culture, the first attempt at the rebirth of the traditional, ritual, wandering theaters. With the support of a Swiss foundation that focuses on the development of art and culture in Kyrgyzstan, the group was established in 2002. The creators’ main aim was to share with young people the spirituality of their ancestors. Therefore, it should not surprise that the artists seek to combine tradition with elements of modernity.
The theater’s repertoire revolves around two Kyrgyz epics (in fact, there are over forty existing epics in the local culture), which until recently were almost forgotten. The theater, so far, has prepared two plays, the 2003 Kereez and Kurmanbek from 2004. Both works were part of “The rebirth of Kyrgyz epic through wandering theater” project. Also, both works have been awarded, thus bringing fame and respect to the young theater group. Kurmanbek tells about the late XVI century and early XVII century, a turbulent period when many indigenous nomadic people of Kyrgyz were in danger of going extinct.

Sakhna has worked with many theaters from the Eurasian region, from countries such as Poland, France, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tadzhikistan, Germany and Switzerland.

“The primeval truth was recounted on an almost empty stage with decoration at a minimum (a few poles tied with a rope in a magical light). Epic heroes appeared on the stage and spoke with great strength and passion…. The actors employed meditation to achieve proximity to the sources of the old Kyrgyz culture. There is, undoubtedly, something lucid and magical about this group. The actors move, breath and sound like an organism.”


Kurmanbek 08.07 (Sunday) 10:00pm.
White Stork Synagogue

Kereez: 09.07 (Monday) 10:00pm.
White Stork Synagogue