The Art of Staying Human

Gabriadze Theatre stands in the heart of Tbilisi's historical Old Town, located at 13 Shavteli Street. It was founded by Rezo Gabriadze in 1981. With a seating capacity of just 80, Theatre is among the world's preeminent cultural institutions.

Director, playwright, artist, and sculptor Rezo Gabriadze crafted his plays, created marionettes, and brought them to life on his stage. His theatre is a unique, author-driven space where medieval marionette art is infused with new significance and seamlessly integrated into Georgian culture. For many years, Gabriadze has promoted Georgian culture internationally through his performances.

In its 40-year history, the Gabriadze Theatre has toured numerous countries and participated in international festivals in Avignon, Edinburgh, New York, Toronto, Belgrade, Charleston, Dresden, Moscow, and other cities. The universality of Gabriadze's artistic language resonates with audiences worldwide, making his characters' emotions universally understandable.

Leo Gabriadze artistic director and producer of the Gabriadze Theatre, is the principal guardian of the delicate poetic world created by his father. Since Rezo’s passing in 2021, Leo has continued his father's work.

Gabriadze Theatre currently features four performances: "The Autumn of My Springtime", "Ramona", "Alfred and Violetta", "Marshal de Fantie's Diamond".

This distinctive atmosphere extends beyond the stage. The theatre's facade itself, features golden letters with Rezo Gabriadze’s motto: “Extra Cepam Nihil Cogito Nos Lacrimare,” meaning “Let tears flow only from chopping onions.” This motto has become a symbol of the theatre and Gabriadze’s universe.

Since 2010, the theatre’s clock tower has become a main attraction, featuring intricate designs based on Gabriadze’s sketches. Every hour, an angel emerges from painted doors to ring a bell. Inside the tower is a small puppet theatre presenting the “Circle of Life" performance twice a day. The tower also features ceramic panels created by Gabriadze. In 2019, Atlas Obscura listed the Gabriadze Theatre's clock tower among the 17 iconic monumental clocks worldwide.


“Rezo Gabriadze is the angel of Tbilisi. We should bow to the audience and respect the puppets, who dislike being treated disparagingly’, he says. And who would disagree with that? Not those who refuse to leave after the performance has ended, who gather in front of the stage to look at Boria and his friends, as if unable to believe that these small creatures will stay there through the night, attached to their strings, in the empty room which is just about to close.”

Peter Brook