Attic at the Marjanishvili Theatre

On June 25, Marjanishvili Theatre hosted Gotcha, a show directed by David Bakhtadze. The show is based on the play by B. Keefe, a contemporary UK writer and a former college teacher. The play, which is based on a true story which occurred at a UK school, has been produced at many theatres in the UK.

Gotcha by B. Keefe is a play about a teenager who becomes a victim of physical violence from his teacher. This incident turns him into a terrorist who locks his teachers in the warehouse threatening to blow up the school. The play explores problems of a generation gap, youth violence and the responsibility of adults towards the future generation. It is not a secret that teenage aggression and violence is an acute problem in Georgia like anywhere else. Because the play carries significant educational and moral messages, educational experts recommend that secondary school students and their parents, as well as teachers, hold readings and discussions of the play.

The show is part of a Theatre Partnership project which has been facilitated by the British Council and supported by BP. The aim of the Theatre Partnership Project is to help develop capacity in the theatre sector in Georgia by working with emerging directors, promoting new writing and engaging audiences in new work. The production takes place at the Marjanishvili Theatre, thus ensuring that the funds for the partnership extend across the theatre sector in Georgia and not just at the Rustaveli Theatre which is one of the partners of the Theatre Partnership project along with the UK’s famous National Theatre. The project partners decided to support the production of the show because of the following reasons:

- The play carries important educational and moral messages which the Georgian theatre repertoire has tended to lack

- The production is supported by the Marjanishvili theatre, which will contribute to further widening of the area of the Theatre Partnership project activities.

- The project gives theatre professionals the opportunity to work on a classic modern British text

The aim of the Theatre Partnership Project is to help develop capacity in the theatre sector in Georgia by working with emerging directors, promoting new writing and engaging audiences in new work.