Interpretations of Carlo Goldoni's Comedies

Abstract

The performing of comedies of Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni has played a significant role in the repertoire of the 20^th century Rustaveli Theater. Plays of the famous comedian was also staged by famous Georgian director Dimitri Aleksidze.

In the twentieth century comedies of Carlo Goldoni were staged by Dimitri Aleksidze in the Rustaveli Theater: The Mistress of the Inn performed in 1936 was an unprecedented success.

The period of Goldoni staging in Rustaveli theater was a very tragic time in the history of Georgia. In 1936, when Dimitri Aleksidze staged The Mistress of the Inn was the starting period of Soviet repressions in Georgia. The Marriage Contest (IL matrimonio per concorso), Goldoni’s comedy was staged in 1942, during the World War II. The name of this comedy at  Rustaveli  theater was The Bride with the Poster. The year 1942 was the most difficult year during the Second World War. Hitler had conquered half of the Soviet Union, and the fascist army was standing in the Caucasus. The number of young people who went to war from Georgia was seven hundred thousand. Many families had already received the notification of the death of their children... The absurd situation of Goldoni's play in Dimitri Aleksidze's staging was distinguished by its comical and revealing pathos. If you add the true fireworks of the play, it becomes clear why during the most difficult period of the Second World War, The Bride with the Poster was sold out for several years.

And the third play staged by Dimitri Aleksidze was The Servant of Two Masters in 1946. The whole period of performing these plays was tragic. Hopeful comedies of Goldoni staged by Dimitri Aleksidze created a brilliant plays at the Rustaveli Theater, and because of that “Goldoniada” was very popular.

The paper uses materials preserved in the Rustaveli Theater Museum, memories of 20th century theater workers about Dimitri Aleksidze, analytical texts of famous theater experts, etc.