THEATRICAL MISSION

The Abdulla Shaig Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre was established in 1931 with the objective of providing entertainment for young audiences, coupled with educational and moral guidance. This mission remains intact to this day. The theatre's repertoire comprises 44 performances, which are presented in a language of action that is accessible to children. These performances educate young spectators about reasonable, good, and eternal concepts, equipping them with the ability to distinguish between good and bad. The mission is of a considerable and commendable nature. Furthermore, if we consider the impact of fostering an appreciation for theatre among young audiences, the significance of this mission is magnified considerably.

During the course of this season, the repertoire of the theatre was augmented with the inaugural performances of Rabbit's Birthday, Aladdin's Magic Lamp, Staying Alive, Melissa, and Steam Engine and Wagons. The theatre maintains a constant dialogue with children and their parents. Moreover, this is not limited to its home-town. In the context of the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan's touring programme, children and their parents were able to attend performances by the Puppet Theatre in Shusha, Fuzuli, Lachin, Zangilan and Hadrut. The responsibility of serving the nation through the medium of art for the youngest spectators is a significant and weighty one. It is evident that all members of the theatre are fully cognizant of the significance of the mission they have been entrusted with. Furthermore, they serve with sincerity, honesty, and dedication to the concept of authentic art. The art in question satisfies the child's desire to learn about the world, as reflected in the images of theatrical fairy-tale characters.

In this discussion, we examine the nuances and idiosyncrasies of this distinctive art form with the theatre's director, Rashad Ahmedzade, who has been honoured with the title of Worker of Culture of Azerbaijan.

Rashad Ahmedzade was born and raised in Baku. He studied the intricacies of theatrical production at the Musical Comedy Theatre, where he acquired the insights of practical professional development from a diverse range of professionals, including a radio technician, lighting technician, lighting designer, sound engineer, administrator, and head of the production department, up to the deputy director of the theatre. In 2010, he was appointed director of the Abdulla Shaig Puppet Theatre, and since 2011 he has served as head of the Azerbaijan National Centre UNIMA. In 2017, he was awarded the honorary title of Honoured Worker of Culture of Azerbaijan and is currently a member of the Association of Theatres of Near and Far Abroad (2024, St. Petersburg).

"Your theatre's repertoire comprises 44 plays. How many of them are in Russian?"

"We have a total of twelve plays in our repertoire. The theatre performs plays on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. One of the plays is performed in Russian."

"So there are two distinct companies within the theatre—performing for Azerbaijani and Russian-speaking audiences separately".

"Yes, our actors are proficient in both languages and perform in both, too."

"Is bilingualism a prerequisite for actors seeking admission to the theatre?"

"It is not a requirement. What is required is that the actor must possess the ability to portray a character through the use of physical expression. This is particularly the case in regard to physical attributes. It is a significant attribute."

"Why?"

"The rationale behind this approach is that the physical flexibility and mobility of the actor allows them to embody characters from fairy tales with remarkable authenticity. When children are fully engaged in the performance, they are unaware of the actor's role in guiding the puppet-like character. This immersive experience is made possible by the actor's adeptness in bringing the character to life through their professional performance. The audience perceives the puppet as a living entity."

"And on what basis is the theatre company replenished? "

"This is indeed a good question. Unfortunately, the University of Culture and Arts has not yet established a faculty for training actors for puppet theatre. We have graduates of the Faculty of Dramatic Theatre and Cinema who come to us."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"I did not say that. The theatre is fortunate to have a roster of accomplished actors and actresses. All of the aforementioned individuals are graduates of our institution of higher education. However, when they join us, it takes approximately one year to familiarise them with the history of puppet theatre and the various types of puppet theatre. The curriculum includes instruction in verbal and non-verbal communication techniques for both the puppet and the spectator. It also encompasses the teaching of the fundamental stages of puppet construction and performance. In conclusion, the process of attaining the qualification of a puppet theatre actor could be more efficacious if they were to acquire the skills of working with finger, cane, growth and marionette puppets at university."

"Might this be attributable to a lack of qualified educators?"

"This is not the case. There are professionals in this country who possess the requisite expertise."

"It may be beneficial to submit a formal request."

"The theatre's artistic council is contemplating the possibility of petitioning the Ministry of Education and the University of Culture and Arts for the establishment of such a faculty."

"Good. Please provide a detailed account of the company's engagement with touring and festival activities. The theatre plays an active role in the promotion of national puppet theatre art. "

"Affirmative. Since 2010, the theatre has undertaken tours of countries in Europe and Asia, participating in international festivals."

"In which locations did the theatre perform during the previous season? In December 2023, your actors joined the 20th International Puppet and Shadow Theatre Festival Karagöz in Bursa, Türkiye, where they presented the performance Melik Mammad and achieved considerable acclaim."

"As to the festival in Bursa, in addition to Turkish puppet and children's theatres, puppeteers from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan participated. The International Association of Puppet Theatres, comprising leading specialists in the field, played a pivotal role in the organisation of the festival. In addition to discussions of performances, there were also creative discussions and an exchange of professional experience.

"The participating countries presented their puppet shows in a variety of theatre and cultural centres. We presented the play Melik Mammad to a discerning Turkish audience."

"What were the highlights of the theatre team's participation in the International Theatre Festival for Children and Youth, held in Tbilisi, Georgia?"

"This creative forum included classes for novice puppet actors, exchange of professional experience, organisation of master classes, as well as courses and short-term training in various areas of theatre and puppetry. "

"The theatre team, under your leadership, is actively engaged in the process of integrating into the global cultural community, thereby promoting the creative achievements of puppet theatre in Azerbaijan. You do not simply observe from a passive position. You are consistently engaged in the pursuit of novel creative frontiers. Are there any new perspectives to be considered?"

"That's right. In June, a delegation from the Karakalpak State Puppet Theatre visited our country. During the course of the team's stay in our country, a ceremony was held to sign an agreement between our theatres on cooperation. The document outlines a number of key areas of collaboration, including the organisation of exchange tours, the delivery of masterclasses, and the preparation of joint productions."

"Thus, this event constituted the most significant occurrence at the conclusion of the theatrical season that had elapsed?"

"I would still contend that it was one of the most significant events of the season. As is customary at the conclusion of the theatrical season, the Arts Council bestowed diplomas upon those actors and personnel who, in the Council's estimation, demonstrated exemplary creative and professional achievements during the preceding year."

"Is this is a tradition?"

"Yes. A long-standing and enduring tradition."

"Are you saying that both you and the members of the Arts Council are wholly impartial in your evaluation criteria?"

"This is precisely the point that I am attempting to make. This is the only methodology that is applicable within our theatrical context. In the absence of an objective assessment of the contribution made to the creative process, there is no incentive for actors to engage fully with the creative and professional aspects of their role. It should be noted that, despite the fact that we are a metropolitan theatre, we have not yet been awarded a higher status than that of a "Leading Theatre", which was awarded to us in 1997. The level of our professional potential is on a trajectory of growth and improvement on an annual basis, a fact that is becoming increasingly recognised and acknowledged in other countries. Furthermore, this is evident at all international festivals."

"It may therefore be advisable to submit these queries to the Ministry of Culture for their consideration."

"It is a possibility. In the meantime, it is my privilege to announce the names of our esteemed colleagues who, at the conclusion of the season, were duly recognised with an in-theatre award in the form of a diploma."

"Fair enough. I am sure that our readers will be interested to learn more about this topic."

"Excellent! Those employees who were awarded diplomas for their fruitful creative activity include the theatre's chief director, Anar Mammadov; chief artist, Iqbal Aliyev; and the artists Rana Abbasova and Javid Huseynov. In addition, the following drama actors were awarded diplomas: Sariya Mansurova, Aygul Aghayeva, Araz Hasanli, Javid Ibrahimov, Elgun Hamidov, Sabina Mammadova, as well as Dilshad Jafarli and Tural Hasanov. "

"We congratulate the diploma holders and wish the team continued success in their creative and professional endeavours, for the benefit of national theatre art. And we hope that in the forthcoming theatrical season, the institution will be designated an academic theatre."