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"Forbidden Christmas or The Doctor and The Patient' was
written, designed and co-directed by world-renowned Georgian
artist Rezo Gabriadze, born in Kutaisi. Performances are scheduled
in USA and Europe. World Premiere took place in Minneapolis,
MN May 11-23, 2004.
PLEASE
CHECK OUT THE SHOW SCHEDULE
Based
on real story about a man from Kutaisi who believed he was a car.
A soldier named Chito (performed by famous Artist Mikhail Baryshnikov)
returns from war to find his sweetheart freshly married to his
best friend, riding off in a brand new car. Traumatized by the
betrayal, Chito creates an imaginary car that he begins to drive
around town. Drama unfolds on a snowy Christmas Eve when Chito
desperately urges a local doctor to visit a patient who is extremely
ill. Within the structure of this simple narrative, Gabriadze
creates an elegiac synthesis of art, drama, poetry, music, and
movement that tells the tale of lost cultures, dreams, and a Christmas
that is celebrated covertly because the government forbids recognition
of the holiday.
Fact:
Almost every person in Kutaisi has seen (if old enough) or heard
about kind-hearted "Shilaia" - eccentric individual
who could be spotted anywhere in the town "driving"
his imaginary automobile. Sometimes he would hang out at the "Old
Train Station" in Kutaisi and offer ride to newly arrived
passengers. Some would take his word seriously and follow him
outside where Shilaia believed he had his fantasy car parked.
Then Shilaia would "start" his car with the key he was
holding and would repeat all movements that drivers do, he would
even change gears with invisible stickshift and cruise through
the streets of Kutaisi. It was impossible not to laugh and same
time not to feel bad about him.
THIS
IS A MUST SEE SHOW! IF YOU HAVE CHANCE YOU GOTTA SEE IT!