The Pigs of Bakula
- Director: Sofio Qelbaqiani
- Theatre:Poti Valerian Gunia Professional State Theatre
- Date:
- 1 September - 20:00 hr,
Author: David Kldiashvili
Directed by Sofio Qelbaqiani
Set Design: Avto Modebadze
Costume Design: Avto Modebadze
Choreographer: Irina Kuprava; Koba Darakhvelidze
Composer/Musical Arrangement: Tamar Putkaradze-Lashkhi
Director’s Assistant: Maia Mebonia
Duration: 80 minutes
Genre: Tragicomedy
Cast:
* Galaktioni - Jano Izoria
* Shasha - Genadi Shonia
* Vasil Vivanichi - Giorgi Surmava
* Zenati - Tamar Abshilava
* Patia - Aniko Shurgaia
Chorus: * Ramin Kilasonia, * Temur Goginava, * Martin Ghambarashvili.
Premiered on 26/06/2026
About Performance
At first glance, David Kldiashvili’s “The Pigs of Bakula” appears to be a light domestic comedy. However, beneath its rustic humor lies a devastating portrait of human nature under pressure—specifically, how fear, poverty, and a crushing sense of helplessness in the face of power can warp human behavior.
Because it untangles these universal dynamics, the text remains profoundly urgent today. This production is not merely a snapshot of a specific historical period, but a warning about an ongoing, timeless danger: the exact moment when people willingly exchange their freedom for obedience. Confronting these psychological traps is more crucial now than ever.
In our interpretation, “The Pigs of Bakula” exposes the vicious cycle of oppression and submission—a descent in which an individual first loses their dignity, then their voice, and ultimately, their capacity to resist. Beyond Kldiashvili’s signature humor and sharp satire, the performance raises a haunting question: At what exact point does a person cease to resist, and how do human beings learn to justify their own subjugation?
Press
A modern interpretation of David Kldiashvili’s “Bakula's Pigs,” this production cuts through rustic humor and sharp satire to expose deep questions of human freedom, dignity, and obedience. The play uncovers how fear, systemic poverty, and helplessness in the face of power can turn an individual into a complicit participant in their own enslavement—revealing a vicious cycle of oppression where a person gradually surrenders their voice, their capacity for resistance, and their dignity.
The performance poses a crucial question to the audience: At what exact point do we stop resisting, and when do we begin justifying our own submission? Today, Bakula's Pigs serves as an urgent mirror for contemporary society, prompting us to reflect on structural forces that remain deeply relevant while reminding us of the true price of human freedom.
Press
A modern interpretation of David Kldiashvili’s “Bakula's Pigs,” this production cuts through rustic humor and sharp satire to expose deep questions of human freedom, dignity, and obedience. The play uncovers how fear, systemic poverty, and helplessness in the face of power can turn an individual into a complicit participant in their own enslavement—revealing a vicious cycle of oppression where a person gradually surrenders their voice, their capacity for resistance, and their dignity.
The performance poses a crucial question to the audience: At what exact point do we stop resisting, and when do we begin justifying our own submission? Today, Bakula's Pigs serves as an urgent mirror for contemporary society, prompting us to reflect on structural forces that remain deeply relevant while reminding us of the true price of human freedom.
The structural foundations of theatrical life in Poti were laid on February 17, 1882, culminating in the official founding of the Poti Drama Theater in 1925. In 1963, the institution was named in honor of the legendary Georgian theater figure Valerian Gunia, and in 1982, the company celebrated its historic centennial jubilee.
In the modern era, the theater has dramatically expanded its horizons. The Poti Drama Theater became a member of the International Network of European Theaters in 2007 and joined the Regional Theater Network of Georgia in 2008. Embracing its role as a vital cultural incubator, the theater places a profound emphasis on supporting young artists, fostering the professional development of students, and nurturing the next generation of actors.
True to its progressive mission, the Poti Theater implements deeply impactful inclusive programs, staging annual productions that feature actors with disabilities within its fully accessible venue. Furthermore, it serves as the proud host of the Poti Regional International Theater Festival, which has established itself as one of Western Georgia's most significant cultural forums. Today, the theater stands not only as a dynamic theatrical hub but as a multifaceted cultural center—hosting exhibitions, film screenings, and creative dialogues. Celebrated by audiences and critics alike, its visionary work continues to garner numerous awards and widespread international recognition.
