While some of us anxiously sum up the year, others wander around the city in search of New Year’s spirit, and still others—are gasping through the last couple of workdays of the year, — we invite you to set aside the hustle and the mass-produced New Year trees set up by organizers, in favor of a deep theatrical experience. We’ve put together a selection of performances and shows that are sure to make the end of the year bright.
Watching the ballet “The Nutcracker” — is a mandatory pre-New Year tradition, like Olivier salad and sparklers. As if making up for all the missed theater visits of the outgoing year, the aesthete public storms the box offices in fear of not getting a ticket in time.
The story of “The Nutcracker” can be seen in December in three interpretations — performed by domestic and Moscow ballet companies and in a production by the “Ilkhom” theater.
"The Nutcracker." Moscow Academic Theatre "Russian Ballet", Palace of "Friendship of Peoples"
At Russian ballet performances, every spectator receives exactly the aesthetic experiences they expect. Impeccable mastery of the dancers, profound drama, and perfect musicality — all in accordance with classical canons.
“The Nutcracker” was created as a promise of a Christmas miracle and an immersion into the world of first romantic feelings, when fairy tales are still a rightful part of life. The performance staged by People's Artist of the USSR Vyacheslav Gordeev — the most harmonious final chord of the year.
The troupe “Russian Ballet” will also perform “Swan Lake”. The ballet is a must-see for those who want to experience the performance in the tradition in which it was originally formed.
The performances are accompanied by live sound.
Dates:
December 27 — “Swan Lake”
December 28 — “The Nutcracker”
“The Nutcracker.” Alisher Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Theatre
Updated with the support of the Uzbekistan Culture and Art Development Foundation, “The Nutcracker” at the Navoi Theater impresses with its luxurious design. The ballet’s choreography includes neoclassical techniques and other innovations.
Director Maksim Petrov says that the entire ballet is seen through Masha's eyes. The creators make the main character a rebel, unlike the canonical image, and the whole plot — is her fantasy. Despite this, the creators reverently follow the idea of P.I. Tchaikovsky.
The costumes for this production were sewn in Moscow. On stage, the audience will see a real carnival — they shimmer, shine, and captivate with their variety and abundance.
The National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan participates in the performance.
Dates: December 23-31
"Nutcracker... The Beginning, or the Tale of Princess Pirlipat." Ilkhom
Their own “Nutcracker” is also offered by Tashkent’s main independent theater “Ilkhom”, but in a chamber version.
The creators present it as “a children's play for adults who love good theater”. Real magic will happen on the small stage. This is a synthetic performance: the dramatic genre is complemented by animation, which the actors create live on screen from objects and drawings.
A thoughtful immersion into Hoffmann's story with charming details, in a hall with only 50 seats — as an alternative or addition to watching “The Nutcracker” in a luxurious ballet version.
Dates: December 28
"12 Months" at the Uzbek Puppet Theater
While everything around is shining with lights, blinking and shimmering, kind and timeless fairy tales about good, evil, and the unshakable laws of nature— simply exist. And that's wonderful! We recommend a cozy puppet show based on the work of Samuil Marshak— one of the most beloved New Year's stories among children for more than 80 years. The plot of the fairy tale is as magical as it is instructive: it is especially important to tell children about caring for nature and its cycles.
The play directed by Honored Artist of Uzbekistan Shamutrat Yusupov is intended for the youngest audience, while parents can at the same time reflect on the deep symbolism of the characters—the 12 months.
Dates: December 25, 27, 29, 31
CLINC! Bubble Theatre (Spain) Palace of Culture for Railway Workers
The legendary Peppa Bu show is coming to Tashkent, created in collaboration with the production team of the Spanish amusement park PortAventura. It is considered one of the most sophisticated and "theatrical" works in its genre.
In the silent performance, various soap bubbles, despite their spectacle, cease to be just a trick. They become part of the scenography, dramaturgy, and in general—the main characters of the show.
At the intersection of theater, science, and attraction, a cult show is born, understandable without words to audiences of all generations, regardless of their cultural or linguistic background. Just as once “Slava Polunin’s Snow Show”, Slink demonstrates how an attraction can become an act of true, profound art, after which you leave as a different person.
Dates: December 27, 28
Nostalgia for the recent past — one of the main trends of the outgoing year. Paying tribute to it, you can visit two events:
Theatrical concert "New Year's Disco" at the Operetta Theatre
The good old Operetta Theater promises the audience an atmosphere of unrestrained fun to the rhythms of disco at a grand theatrical show.
Well, who among us doesn't sing along to ABBA, Boney M, and Gloria Gaynor?
Disco was born as music for dancing and freedom, its rhythm inevitably takes us back to the youth of our grandmothers. The sparkle of the disco ball, wild costumes, bright sunny sound: disco is made for celebration! Being yourself and celebrating life — an excellent concept for the days before New Year’s.
Dates: December 27, 28
New Year's concert by Ne Prosto Orchestra. Turkestan Concert Hall
Famous soundtracks performed by the renowned Kazakhstani team: symphony orchestra, choir, and soloists.
Ne Prosto Orchestra — the first independent symphony orchestra in Kazakhstan, which for eight years has been performing soundtracks from popular movies, TV series, and anime. Having mastered this specific and complex genre, the team wins the hearts of audiences in different countries. Their performances break attendance records in major cities of the CIS.
At the concert in “Turkeston” there will be songs and melodies from the most beloved movies, without which New Year simply wouldn’t come: “Home Alone”, “Narnia”, “The Irony of Fate”, “Office Romance”, “Anastasia” and many others. Come for the Hollywood-scale show and flashbacks to a happy childhood.
Dates: December 25
