Kholstomer.
The History
Of A Horse
showcase by Nabi Abdurakhmanov
The performance was first staged by renowned director Nabi Abdurakhmanov at the Youth Theater of Uzbekistan and immediately won several prizes at international festivals. It was called "A Hymn to Human." Nabi Abdurakhmanov also staged this performance with Israeli actors in the Beit Zvi Theater School at the Teatron Ramat-Gan.This is a completely original version of the classic novella, in which the poetic spirit fills the entire stage space. A combination of modern plasticity, original music, and high poetry in a single stage action. The play “Kholstomer” is a story about the eternal quest for Freedom, about the high Flight.
ESSENCE Theatre-Studio presents its proposal of staging a spectacular, dramatic-dance performance titled “KHOLSTOMER. THE HISTORY OF A HORSE” based on the immortal story by the great Leo Tolstoy “Kholstomer” (Strider).
Today, when, on one hand, the level of hatred, Evil in souls, rejection of others' opinions, and readiness for violence fill the minds and souls of people, and on the other hand, issues of Spiritual Light, altruism, uniqueness, and the Talent of the High Flight of the Soul are felt by everyone on the planet as a dream and sincere goal, this performance, more than ever, can turn out to be the most relevant and moving. Especially for the youth. And it should be performed by young, energetic actors.
In this performance, the language of contemporary theater plays out a very intense plot about young, energetic horses who never rise to the level of Kholstomer—a remarkable personality, different from others, and therefore doomed to loneliness… condemned by the crowd for his “uniqueness.”
The showcase of this performance, staged by Nabi Abdurakhmanov at his ESSENCE Theatre-Studio, with graduates from several theater schools in New York and other countries, took place on June 25, 2024, on the stage of URBAN STAGES in Manhattan. The audience was thrilled with the showcase and expressed eagerness to see the full, finished version of the performance.ESSENCE Theatre-Studio appeals to potential sponsors and theater professionals in New York for cooperation in producing this performance. The ESSENCE Theatre-Studio is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
Tashkent Show
New York Showcase
About the show
One of the main performances staged by Nabi Abdurakhmanov took place first at the Beit Zvi Theatre School
in Israel and then at the Youth Theatre of Uzbekistan. It's an adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's novel "The History
Of A Horse". Throughout the performance, there's a rhythmic "dance" of the horse herd, serving as an
expression of the intertwined natural and social live, rich with complexity and contradiction. The central
character is the legendary Kholstomer, embodying the ambiguity of life and encapsulating its essence.
Nabi Abdurakhmanov, the director of the performance and an Honored Worker of Arts of the Republic of
Uzbekistan, shared during a press conference after the premiere that working on "Kholstomer" was an
endeavor to capture the profound and unsettling essence of Tolstoy's work."We aimed to grasp the energy
of Tolstoy's soul, to perceive the world through his eyes, and to be imbued with the spirit of this great figure,"
he explained."This performance is our contemporary interpretation of a classic, tailored for today's
youth. We endeavored to synthesize language, music, and movement into a cohesive, poetic whole."
Abdurakhmanov expressed his intention not merely to retell the story of the horse but to delve into the
narrative of youthful vigor and potential, often marred by the inability to reach spiritual heights, symbolized
by the destruction of Kholstomer."In my rendition, it is not humans but horses themselves who bring about
Kholstomer's demise. I sought to convey that Kholstomer, even in death, retains the right to soar to the
Highest Realms. His capacity for inner flight remains unmatched, whereas the young ones are forever
grounded, burdened by their own deed, because on their conscience - there is perfect evil. Truth be told,
I aimed to craft a performance centered around Pegasus," he revealed.
The young actors approached their roles with reverence and deep understanding, each navigating the
internal dynamics and tragic poetry of the narrative in their own unique way. The actor portraying
Kholstomer skillfully embodied the essence of the character, portraying the grandeur of life and the power
of the spirit, poised for flight, love, and dignity as bestowed upon a sentient being by the divine.
For these young actors, this experience was a revelation, a crucible of professional growth. They recognized
that true artistry and creative maturity are cultivated only through engagement with quality material.
Every actor contributed to the performance with precision, competence, and passion, coalescing into
a harmonious theatrical ensemble.
The scenography, crafted by the talented artist Igor Gulenko, received high praise for its contribution to the
unified aesthetic vision of the production. From costumes to set design to props, every element was
meticulously organized in both time and space, enhancing the authenticity of the theatrical experience.
Dmitriy Yanov-Yanovsky's magnificent musical score added another layer of depth, effectively conveying
the essence of Tolstoy's work.
Brief Plot
At dawn, young horses find themselves in an endless field for the first time, where they are given the opportunity to unleash their boundless energy and strength. Among them are two old horses: a skewbald gelding, rejected by everyone for his frailty, and an old, respected mare.
Unable to fully realize their energy, the young horses direct it against the old skewbald gelding. However, it turns out that he is the legendary Kholstomer, renowned for his speed and incredibly rich life. The young horses, in a surge of hope to master the secrets of his life, to understand the freedom of running and the Talent for striving to fly, rush to help him remember his life. Throughout the story, they themselves become heroes of his life, experiencing the tale of Love, Betrayal, finding a Friend, and the Incredible Race for Honor. But eventually, unable to forgive his otherness and high Spirit, they betray him. However, Kholstomer's soul leaves them in a High Flight, while they themselves are doomed to never experience and live through this highest Flight of the Spirit because they bear the burden of the Evil they have committed.
As the famous critic Lyubov Lebedina said, "this play is a Poem about Running, about the Soul's Striving for Flight!"
Nabi Abdurakhmanov
Theater Director / Teacher / Leader of international theatre festivals, Artistic Director of ESSENCE Theatre-Studio
For 25 years, 1991-2016, was the Artistic Director the celebrated Youth Theater of Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
Nabi Abdurakhmanov led the Youth Theater of Uzbekistan as its Artistic Director for 26 years (from 1991 to 2016), with its main repertoire being in Russian. His participation in many international festivals, including in many cities in Russia, earned his theater the recognition of being the best Russian-speaking theater outside of Russia. It is no wonder he was awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation for his contribution to Russian culture – Nabi Abdurakhmanov is a Knight of the Pushkin Medal. In such a renowned media outlet as the Russian channel of VOICE OF AMERICA, an interview was conducted after the premiere of Nabi Abdurakhmanov's performance “Worlds In Collision” at his ESSENCE Theatre-Studio in New York. The interview can be found on
During that time, he also taught acting and directing at the Arts and Culture Institute of Uzbekistan and at the School-Studio of the Youth Theater of Uzbekistan, and also staged plays in Israel and Russia as well. He has garnered numerous international prizes and critical acclaim for his groundbreaking theatrical work.
In 2016, moved to USA and started work in New York.
Since 2018 - Artistic Director of the ESSENCE Theatre-Studio.
Teaching Methodology -
Mr. Abdurakhmanov's work evolves from the Theatre School of Stanislavsky and incorporates core aspects of Vakhtangov, Grotowski, Boleslavsky, Ariane Mnouchkine and other theatrical lineages, while creating an original acting methodology. He taught acting and directing, has given master classes and has directed in prominent theatre schools in Uzbekistan, Russia, Germany, and Israel. His students work professionally in acclaimed theaters in Uzbekistan, Russia and elsewhere.
Website: www.nabiweb.com
E-mail: nabiweb07@gmail.com
Kholstomer
It is absolutely original version of the famous story of Classic writer. A combination of modern plastique/movement show, signature music, and high poetry in a single stage action. "Kholstomer" is a story about the eternal quest for Freedom and the High Flight of Soul. This is the story of Pegasus!
Grigory Gurevich, renowned artist, sculptor, mime, teacher, and co-founder of International Arts Museum MoRA (Jersey City, USA)
"I was genuinely thrilled by the performance, especially by the interpretation of the play, its multifaceted nature, which pertains to the content, and secondly, the form of its expression – a bubbling energy of youth contrasted with the fading of once successful and vibrant lives, something that awaits much of humanity. I also loved the costumes, which combined elements of horses and certain aspects of today’s youth! We were delighted by the evening. I am confident that you have a wonderful future ahead, with great success, and you should take a leading place in one of New York’s Broadway theaters!"
Regina Gottfried, theater critic (Germany).
Nabi Abdurakhmanov and Leo Tolstoy's "Kholstomer" – a story of long love. In the stage version of dramatization and direction of Nabi Abdurakhmanov, this vital and burning "Story of a Horse" has been captivating audiences from half the planet in recent years – from Central Asia to St. Petersburg, from Siberia to Israel, and now on the stages of New York...
Time increasingly reveals the prophetic essence of Leo Tolstoy's genius text. The ruthlessness and double-edged sharpness, the piercing and "clinical" clarity of his thoughts about us today, about the banality of evil, about the inexhaustible hatred of the crowd towards "otherness," about eternal loneliness and the aspiration for flight.
Director Nabi Abdurakhmanov, the outstanding Uzbek composer Dmitry Yanov-Yanovsky, set designer Igor Gulenko have created a large-scale epic score, an artistic canvas, an absolutely unique version of this work by Leo Tolstoy.
Not a single student or young actor – and these are the ones we saw in the 50-minute excerpt of the Manhattan staging by Nabi Abdurakhmanov – multi-talented, plastically and technically prepared at a high level, internally collected and focused on the continuous action – so, none of those involved in this production can resist this all-encompassing energy wave that begins to rage on stage. It is embedded in the perfect symbiosis of direction, music, and choreography. The same happens with the audience. It has always been so everywhere.
And these burning eyes and goosebumps in the audience. No matter what language Nabi Abdurakhmanov works with the actors – Russian, Uzbek, Hebrew, English – he "breaks through" skepticism, disbelief, indifference, snobbery and conveys the very essence of the humanistic idea of Leo Tolstoy's great work to the audience.
A large-scale production is needed in New York!
Tom Marion, Associate Professor of Theatre
CHAIR, Department of Performing and Fine Arts
Coordinator of Theatre Arts, York College, New York
Thank you, Essence Theatre, for your June 25th showcase of Kholstomer: The history of a horse! How could anyone of my age ask for more from theatre? I sat like a child in a thrall of wonder but gripped by an ageless and brazen energy of life that at times trembled with joy and triumphant or a sudden violence, unrepentant in its cruelty, yet always true in its humanity and affirming hope to the miracle of our existence. All this, and from horses! Sandford Meissner asked that actors create not an imitation of life, but the actual thing itself, truthfully doing with genuine meaning. But your work expands theatre beyond character and naturalism, beyond realism and even “magical realism;” with the power of horses abstracted, you infuse the audience with life itself, pick us up, shake us, look into our eyes, amaze, startle, wound, and heal us into a deeper knowing of ourselves, our world, and the utter joy of being alive. Thank you for this 50-minutes of making me feel more human!
