| Rustaveli National Theatre | |
|---|---|
| Rustaveli Drama Theater.JPG | |
| General information | |
| Type | Performance venue |
| Architectural style | Baroque, Rococo |
| Location | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Completed | 1887 |
| Design and construction | |
| Owner | Municipality of Tbilisi |
| Architect | Cornell K. Tatishchev, Alexander Shimkevich |
Rustaveli National Theatre (Geo. შოთა რუსთაველის სახელობის აკადემიური თეატრი) also referred to as Rustaveli State Drama Theatre, is the largest and one of the oldest theaters of Georgia, located in its capital Tbilisi at 17 Rustaveli Avenue. It is named after the medieval Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli.
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The building was originally founded in 1879 as an "Artists' Society." Upon request of the "Artists' Society" several celebrated artists were commissioned to paint frescoes on the walls and ceilings of the basement. These artists included Russian theater set designer Serge Sudeikin and Georgian painters Lado Gudiashvili and David Kakabadze, among others. Two important Georgian painters, Mose and Irakli Toidze, eventually joined the project as well. Unfortunately, the unique masterpieces that once adorned the lower level of the Rustaveli Theatre were whitewashed during the period of Soviet rule and only a small portion of the frescoes has been able to be restored.
In 1921 the building was renamed Rustaveli Theatre. Construction of the theatre was funded by Alexander Mantashev and it was designed by Cornell K. Tatishchev and Alexander Shimkevich, Tbilisi's Municipal Architect.
From 2002 to 2005 the theatre underwent a thorough renovation, which was largely funded by Georgian businessman, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
The theatre is currently home to three stages including, the main stage (about 800 seats), the small stage (300 seats) and a Black Box Theatre (182 seats) for experimental performances. The theatre is also available for conferences and events and houses a large ballroom, a small ballroom and a small foyer.