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Spectator's Reviews
“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!""
Grigory Gurevich, renowned artist, sculptor, mime, teacher, and co-founder of International Arts Museum MoRA (Jersey City, USA)
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!
Regina Gottfried, theater critic (Germany).
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!
Tom Marion, Associate Professor of Theatre
CHAIR, Department of Performing and Fine Arts
Coordinator of Theatre Arts, York College, New York
Congratulations! Nabi has created and opened his own theater, an 'Esperanto' theater, combining Western and Eastern cultures, synthesizing unusual phenomena. Nabi, whom I have known for a long time, has discovered his directorial philosopher's stone. You have managed to bring the Eastern mentality, the nature of Eastern mythological theater into the performance. The theme of power, ownership, internal priority is powerfully declared in your performance. And the extraordinary quest for freedom, I would call it 'A Poem about Running' running towards the Freedom of the Spirit. You have won over both the audience and the critics!
L. Lebedine, theater critic (Moscow, Russia)
I know Nabi very well since he has staged already two productions based on my poems. He is an artist of extremely expressive direction of arts. I think he is a theatrical genius, he has a most rare gift - very exquisite feelings of a stage, actors, sets and costumes.
Timur Zulfikarov, Russian poet, Winner of the Prize – Best European Roman in 1993
In general, each of Nabi's performances is unique. This director cannot be confused with anyone else. He is one of the most interesting modern directors. And his theater. There is always Meaning in this theater!
Nora KUTATELADZE, International Confederation of Theater Unions, Coordinator of International Projects of the A. Chekhov International Festival (Moscow)
"Kholstomer" developed and directed by Nabi Abdurakhmanov stands out as poignant and timely theatrical production that delves deep into essential existential questions, particularly exploring the concept of power in our tumultuous contemporary global landscape.
The production skillfully challenges audiences to contemplate the nature of power– what it is, who holds it, and why – and forces us to reconsider our societal values during these uncertain times. Nabi Abdurakhmanov’s creation expertly weaves together text and movement, with the latter playing a significant role in conveying the thematic undercurrents of the narrative. Through both spoken word and physical choreography, the production artfully explores the essence of humanity, prompting viewers to reflect on the value of human life. One of the most striking elements of "Kholstomer" is its unique incorporation of the life of horses as a metaphor for broader human experiences.
This innovative approach adds a layer of depth and symbolism to the narrative, inviting audiences to contemplate our interconnectedness with the natural world and ponder the universal aspects of existence. In a time when the world is grappling with profound uncertainties and questioning fundamental beliefs, "Kholstomer" emerges as a thought-provoking piece of theatre that offers profound insights into the complexities of power dynamics and the intrinsic value of life. Its ability to provoke introspection and spark critical dialogue makes it a production that should be experienced by all who seek to engage with profound philosophical
questions and explore the depths of the human experience.
Olga Levina
Executive Producer
Jersey City Theater Center
(Jersey City, USA)
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