Frankenstain

The year 1868 marks the beginning of professional theater in Zugdidi.

According to an article published that same year in the newspaper Droeba, the city’s first theatrical performance was Molière’s The Doctor in Spite of Himself. This event signaled the start of professional theatrical art in the region.

In the years that followed, productions such as Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and Molière’s Scapin’s Deceits were staged throughout Samegrelo. By 1897, the newspaper Tsnobis Purtseli reported on performances by Zugdidi students, including V. Gunia’s vaudeville The Hunter and A. Tsagareli’s Baikushi. In 1898, the local amateur theater scene came under the direction of Nikoloz Bukia, who staged G. Eristavi’s Separation.

At the time, performances often took place in family homes, on balconies, makeshift stages, or even in shop halls.

Today, the Zugdidi Theater continues to thrive as a dynamic center of artistic activity. In the past year alone, it has premiered fifteen new productions. Its current repertoire features work by guest directors, students, and recent graduates — all contributing to the rich and evolving theatrical landscape of Zugdidi.

General Manager/Manager : Giorgi Kashia

Contact Information: Tel:  592410621/ gkashia@tafu.edu.ge