Forum-theatre (77)
Forum-theater is an innovative method of work aimed at solving social problems through theatrical performances. The Youth Forum-Theater of the Fund "Sukhumi" has been working since 2009 and conducts performances on topical issues (conflicts, violence) in 4 regions of Western Georgia (Imereti, Samegrelo, Guria, Adjara).
The shadow theater of the Fund "Sukhumi" presented two performances in two groups of the kindergarten No10. At the beginning, the director briefly told the children about the working process. She also talked about equality, since the performance pays special attention to this issue.
Then the kids watched the performance “Turnip” with interest and joy. After the performance, they shared their impressions with each other. The teachers thanked the young actors, because a free performance for the kids was held for the first time.
The forum-theater came to the public school of the village Simonet (Terjola municipality) for the first time. Therefore, at first, the presenter - joker, acquainted the audience with the work of the Fund “Sukhumi”, with the specifics of the forum-theater. Then 5 performances were played. The scene of the mother and child raised a great interest. The viewer was actively involved in the scene and tried to change the vector of violence. The subject of discussion was also a presentation on the topic of migration.
Discussions and examples of violence - all this was impressionable for the viewer.
The shadow theater of the Fund “Sukhumi” visited the public school in the village Khajalia (Lanchkhuti municipality) for the first time. The spectators were pupils of the first and second grades. It was shown the performance "Turnip". The children had not seen such performance, and they really enjoyed the show.
The teachers asked the questions, and they willingly answered. It was clear that shadow theater is a real therapy for children, and it also teaches them that everyone is equal and everyone should help each other.
The first visit of the forum theater is always special. Two meetings in January were also special. The meetings were held in public schools of the villages of Khajalia (Lanchkhuti municipality) and Anaseuli (Ozurgeti municipality).
The performances (scene of domestic violence, relations between children and parents) aroused emotions among students and teachers. The scene was quite sensitive - when the mother returns after 10 years of emigration and the children do not accept her. The part of audience whose relatives are abroad were particularly worried.
There was everything at the meetings: surprise, interest, discussion, active involvement, applause... Director of school of the village Khajalia expressed a desire to hold performances in the village club. This is one of the important results of the forum-theater activity.
The work of the forum-theater was interesting for the informational portal "Kutaisipost". The journalists, together with the young people went to the village Khajalia, made a record of the performance and the interviews.
Pupils and teachers presented at the forum theater performances. Performances were held in Khoni and Tskaltubo. Particularly interesting were the new three scenes: the mother, who returned from emigration, and children do not accept her, a father who, laid the house in the bank, because of a woman, family whose only son is a drug addict.
These scenes and the conflicts alarmed the viewers. They shared their own stories and actively joined in the discussion.
The shadow theater of the Fund “Sukhumi” visited Khoni Municipallity in November. The visit was very pleasant for kids.
The performance “Turnip” was held in the kindergartens of two villages - Kukhi and Nakhakhulevi. The teachers were satisfied, as they do not often have free children's performances.
And the children were even more satisfied. In Kuhi 34 children attended the performance, there was silence in the hall. They closely followed the heroes of the fairy tale - this happens very rarely, since a large number of children always cause noise.
According to the performance, the children learned that everyone is equal, and the problem should be solved together. This is the purpose of the performance.
Performances of the forum-theatre were held for the first time in Ganmukhuri (Zugdidi municipality) and Ozurgeti, so the first emotion was surprise.
The performances were attended by school directors and teachers. Topics of performances was domestic violence and the relationship between mother and children.
The audience accepted this form of expression well, they actively joined and looked for ways to avoid violence. There were discussions in both Ganmukhuri and Ozurgeti, and they expressed a desire to meet young actors of the Fund "Sukhumi" again.
During last few months in the repertoire of the shadow theater of the Fund "Sukhumi" there appeared the play "Turnip". "Turnip", as the first play "Pirimze" is about kindness, friendship, equality, empathy. Children really like them both.
In September, the "Turnip" was shown twice in the office of the Fund “Sukhumi”. Invited children were very entertained - they liked the new and unusual atmosphere, music, good ending.
After the presentation, the actors talked with the children about the characters, friendship and when people are together, all problems can be solved.
The forum-theater of the Fund "Sukhumi" held two presentations in August. The first was gheld in the central park of Tskaltubo. It was attended by local people and holidaymakers. The most impressive scene out of the five were the scenes of domestic violence (among husband and wife and mother and son). The inclusion of spectators, who were able to resolve conflict situations was also very interesting.
In the center of Ozurgeti the performances of the forum – theatre were shown for the first time. Therefore, there were many questions. 6 performances were shown. The first scene scared the spectator, but after the second scene an active discussion began. There was a variety of opinions, but everyone believes that violence of any kind is unacceptable.
Forum-theater and Shadow Theater – is a visit card of the Fund "Sukhumi".
Young actors have tens of performances of the forum-theater on conflict and violence and two performances of shadow theatre on equality. The first play "Pirimze" was created several years ago in frames of one of the projects of Kutaisi Gender Advisory Council (editor - Levan Gabrichidze). The presentation took place in the puppet theater and the performance was successfully presented in schools and kindergartens of Western Georgia.
On June 21, the performance of the shadow theatre “Turnip” was held in Kutaisi, in the office of the Fund "Sukhumi".
The active two-month work of editor Magda Chikhladze and the actors’ group, recording, musical design, rehearsals in Kutaisi drama theater after Lado Meskhishvili ended with a premiere. "Turnip", and as the first play "Pirimze" – shows common efforts for good deeds, support and empathy, equality, the victory of kindness.