Auezov Theater

Established in late 1925 in city of Kyzylorda which during its opening was the capital of Kazakh SSR. The theater opened on January 13, 1926 with a play "Sakina Altyn" ("Golden Ring") by Koshka Kemengerov staged by Seraly Kozhamkulov and a big concert.

In 1928, after the transfer of the capital to Alma-Ata, the theater was also transferred to the new capital. In 1937, the theater was awarded as a name of Academy Building, and since 1961 with a tribute to the death of Auezov, the theater was named as Drama Theatre by the name of M.O. Auezov.[1]

The roots of the theater who are considered as masters of folk art and amateurs were Amre Kashaubaev, Kurmanbek Dzhandarbekov, Kozhamkulov Seraly, Kalibek Kuanyshpaev, Yelyubay Umurzakov, Isa Baizakov, Kanabek Baiseitov, K. Bader, Munaitpasov K., J. Shanin , F. Ashkeeva, Z. Atabaeva, Shabana Baizakov.

During the early years of the theater, directors were nominated from the actor's seat who were Shanin, Kozhamkulov, and Dzhandarbekov. On the creation of the first play were worked by writers; Auezov, Seifullin, Myleene. In the early years of staged performances, reflecting the establishment of Soviet power, multiple plays were created which these were "Red Falcons" by Seifullin, "Zarlyk" by Uspanov and Uteulin; as well as performances about life in the old village, pre-revolutionary life of the Kazakh people with the performance name of "Karakoz", "Baybishe - Current" was directed by Auezov, while "Wedding", "Sly Mullah" by Maylin, "Malkambay" by Erdanaev, "Torsykbay", "Aidarbek", "Arkalyk Batyr" were created by Shanin.

In the 1930s, the theater attracted professional Russian directors in which were M.Nasonov, I.Hog, M.Sokolovsky, and artist K. Khodzhikov, who were proceeded to setting challenging dramatic works: «Night peals» by Auezov, «Amangeldy» by Mailin and Musrepov.

In 1941-45 during World War II. The basis of the acts of performances devoted to the heroic struggle of the Soviet people: "In the hour of trial" by Auezov, "Guards of honor" by Auezov and Abishev and "Sir-Ahan - Ak Tokta" by Musrepov, "Taming of the Shrew" by Shakespeare.

Throughout 1963 until 1982, the theater was located in a new building with 800 seats in the main square named after Komintern, opposite to the park named after A.Imanov, located in Communist now Abylaikhan street.

In 1982, the theater was moved to its current and permanent place,[2] it solemnly moved to a new building in the center of Almaty. The room was fully equipped with the necessary shops and the most modern facilities. There were two rooms, a large hall with 756 seats and a small little room with 276 seats in the theater.

The most significant plays from the end of World War II until the 1980s were "Friendship and love", "Career and Conscience" by Abishev, "Millionaire" by Mustafin, "Yesterday and Today", "Hard Fate" by Khusainov, "One tree - not the forest" by Tazhibaev, "cub under a cap", "Matchmaker arrived" "In a foreign country," by Mukhamedzhanov, "Saule", "Buran" by Akhtanov, "The Heart of the poet" by Shashkin, "Unquenchable fire" by Kabdolov, "Ascent of Mount Fuji" by Aitmatov, Mukhamedzhanov and many others.

In 2006 the theater was closed for renovation. A modern lighting, sound equipment, air conditioning and heating system was installed. The restoration lasted for almost three years, in which theater reopened its doors on December 2008.[3]