When
everything ends, applauses stops and lights go off, they return back to their
old, cozy wardrobe. All of them are special; each carries its own history and has
an amazing aura. Plenty of old and new costumes are kept at Rustaveli theatre.
They were designed for the Georgian legendary actors. Some of them have passed
more than a century and occupy their respective part in the history.
Costumes
were often sent to other theatres from Rustaveli theatre in order to provide
assistance, sometimes they altered them, but now, all the costumes, which are
kept at Rustaveli theatre, are exponents and can’t be amended. Part of costumes
was moved to the theatre’s museum, so anyone willing to have a look at those
amazing costumes may visit the latter venue.
Recently,
costumes from Rustaveli and Marjanishvili theatres were authenticated and
exhibited by the International Center of Art. Head of Rustaveli theatre museum,
Bela Chumburidze says, that there was an interesting discovery in the working process:
one of the historical costumes from “great sovereign” (which is kept at theatre
museum), created by Soliko Virsaladze, was compared with existing photographic
material (with A. Khorava depicted). As it appeared, costume ornaments on the
photo differ from the ornaments of the costume, which is kept at the theatre
museum. Therefore, we can say, that the costume, which is kept at Rustaveli
theatre museum didn’t belong to Mr. Akaki Khorava. It belonged to Erosi Manjgaladze,
which was a double of Akaki Khorava. A. Khorava’s
costume is kept at the theatre’s wardrobe.
In
“great sovereign” Aleksandra Toidze, who played the role of Irina Godunova, also
wore the marvelous costume. In 1957, "Boris Godunov" was staged where
the role of Xenia Godunova played Lika Chavchavadze. Aleksandra Toidze’s
beautiful costume was moved to this performance and adjusted to Lika
Chavchavadze’s character. Today, Soliko Virsaladze’s costumes are as majestic
and impressive as many years ago.
They
say that costumes are breathing, that they have an amazing mysticism… Indeed,
costume has a significant influence over the mood of every actor, helps them to
feel their character. Costume
and an actor together create wonders what we see on stage later. One shall
mention performance - “the serpent woman”, which was directed in 1998 by Robert
Sturua and David Sakvarelidze. Costumes and decoration was created by Gogi
Aleksi-Meskhishvili.
(Sketch
of the performance is guarded at the Rustaveli theatre’s museum)
The
performance doesn’t go beyond magic world. This was an unusual harmony of the
director and the art director, where each color was significant, sonorous and
field. Mr. Gogi’s costumes were colorful and impressionable. Iranian painting
made everything more mystical and fairytale-style.
(Sketch of the performance is guarded at the Rustaveli theatre’s museum)
Each
costume is made tastefully and adjusted to characters. It’s impossible to go by
and not to simply stop and enjoy when you see the serpent woman’s costume, which
wore actress Nino Kasradze. This is a beautiful black velvet costume, decorated
with colorful gems. The costume is kept at the Rustaveli theatre’s museum.
Frankly
speaking, it’s impossible to express all the emotions by words, when you see
that old costumes. Everything, what is kept in the Rustaveli theatre museum and
theatre’s storage, is the most beautiful result of the combination of efforts
and imagination. This is a history, which can be experienced.
