THE MURDER OF GONZAGO
- Director: Petru Vutcarau
- Theatre:Kutaisi Lado Meskhishvili Professional State Drama Theatre
- Date:
- 1 September - 20:00 hr,
Author Nedyalko Yordanov
Director - Petru Vutcarau
Scenography by - Teo Kukhianidze
Costumes Designer - Vera Kipiani
Choreographer - Giorgi Kartvelishvili
Composer / musical adaptation - Petru Vutcarau
Assistant to the director - Inga Meskhoradze
Cast:
Charles – Davit Roinishvili
Elizabeth – Sophio Chiradze
Benvolio – Tengiz Javakhadze
Henry – Ioane Imedadze
Amalia – Shorena Sikharulidze
Prompter – Abel Soselia
Polonius – Gela Ebanoidze
Horatio – Irakli Kverghelidze
Executioner – Nika Dzneladze
Hamlet – Giorgi Giorgadze
King – Gocha Nemsitsveridze
Queen – Inga Kakiashvili
First Guard – Giorgi Kartvelishvili
Second Guard – Archil Kostanashvili
Duration: 2 hours and 20 minutes
The play is performed in two acts.
“The Murder of Gonzago” is a play within a play. Many of us recall the central scene in Act III of Hamlet, where, at the prince’s request, a troupe of traveling actors performs a play. Nedyalko Yordanov’s work expands on this theme by telling the brief but compelling story of a traveling acting troupe.
Each character inhabits a defined role—some fully aware of it, others oblivious. The plot is rich with intrigue, revenge, lies, and betrayal, mirroring the dynamics of everyday life: people stepping into others’ roles, while a seemingly uninvolved third party emerges victorious.
This production was directed by Petru Vutcarau - Artistic Director of the Eugène Ionesco National Theatre in Chișinău.
The history of Kutaisi Drama Theatre began on March 3, 1861, with a performance of Giorgi Eristavi’s comedy The Divorce at the city’s public assembly hall. Between 1862 and 1880, Akaki Tsereteli and a group of theatre enthusiasts laid the groundwork for a professional troupe. In 1880, Kote Meskhi officially founded the professional theatre in Kutaisi.
In 1928, Kote Marjanishvili established the Kutaisi–Batumi Second State Theatre, which in 1940 was officially named after the distinguished actor Lado Meskhishvili. A new theatre building opened in 1955 and was granted cultural monument status in 2009.
Over the decades, the Meskhishvili Theatre has been home to renowned Georgian directors, actors, and artists, staging landmark performances. Its museum preserves valuable cultural heritage, including unique handwritten scores by classical Georgian composers.
In 2007, stars honoring six prominent actors were unveiled in front of the theatre. This was followed by the opening of a small stage in 2008, and the addition of the open-air “Green Theatre” in the courtyard on October 10, 2020.
The theatre actively participates in international festivals, maintains cooperative agreements with various European theatres, and produces joint performances. It is also a regular competitor in Ministry of Culture contests, winning in 2023 with the project “Georgian Dramaturgy — The Foundation of Georgian Theatre,” which was staged in 2024.
General Manager/Manager - Giorgi Tavadze
Contact Information:
Mail: giorgigoga@gmail.com