Run at the Magtymguly Music and Drama Theater, the dynamic, emotional and heart-wrenching production tells the story of love between Zhibek and Tolegen, whose tragic fate draws a striking parallel with the story of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet... Zhibek dies, bending over Tolegen’s dead body because she cannot live without her sweetheart.

The youth theater’s mission is to experiment, to understand young people and to speak their language. That is why the director of the production Nurkanat Zhakypbay brings the adapted work closer to modern-day life and retells it through the expressive language of dance.

Alongside with the original acting – the fusion of choreography, singing and acrobatic stunts, the performance abounds with innovative solutions in stage sets. For instance, a large circle of silk fabric transforms either into a camel, or a yurt, or a flock of grazing sheep as though by the wave of a magic wand.

The production’s meaningful context offers spectators the enhanced visual perception, allowing them to be transported a few centuries back in time to find themselves at a lavish distinctively Kazakh wedding celebration. A folk song sung a cappella in the finale accents the authentic spirit of the epic, a true gem of Kazakh folklore.

- Nurkanat Zhakypbay is a wonderful director, and only a true professional knows how to keep the audience captivated with the one-hour-and-a-half-long dance, People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Anna Mele expressed his opinion.

‘A work of talent! Dazzling! Extraordinary!’ audience members exclaimed excitedly, totally impressed by the production, which is a harmonious blend of traditions and theatrical innovations.