Azerbaijani theatre () – is a theatrical art of the Azerbaijani people.
History
Sources of Azerbaijani theatrical art lie on ancient holidays and dances.
Elements of theatrical action are in many types of Azerbaijani people's creativity – in games (“gizlanpach” – hide and seek, “kosaldigach” – polo game), game songs (“kepenek” – butterfly, “banovsha” – violet), wedding traditions (“nishan” – engagement, “duvakhgalma” – taking bride's veil off, “toy” – wedding) and holidays (“Nowruz” – spring's coming, “kev-sej” – preparation for winter).
Collective male dance “yally”, performance of skomorokhs, kandirbazs (rope-walkers), mukhraduzds and mukhrabazs, spectacles of dervish and snake charmers are initial forms of theatrical spectacles. Broadly famed national scenes such as “Kosa-kosa”, “Garavelli”, “Shah Selim”, “Kechal pahlavan”(Bald-headed strong), “Jeyran khanim” (Mrs. Jeyran), “Maral oyunu” (Deer's game), “Kaftarkos” (Hyena), “Khan-khan” (Ruler and judge), “Tapdig choban” (Shepherd Tapdig) and “Tenbel gardash” (Lazy brother) were of great importance in formation of national Azerbaijani theatre. “Kilim arasi” (Out of carpet) puppet theatre, in spectacles of which ugly appearances of everyday life, social inequality and injustice were ridiculed, is an ancient type of Azerbaijani theatrical art.
Religious-mystic spectacles were widely spread in the Middle Ages. Dramatized “Shabih” tradition, which was generally held in sorrowful Muharram month, is one of spectacles like that.
Origination of the national Azerbaijani theatre - late 19th century, early 20th century
National Azerbaijani theatre was originated in the second half of the 19th century, on the basis of a comedy by Mirza Fatali Akhundov, the first Azerbaijani playwright, prominent thinker and philosopher of Azerbaijan.
The first professional spectacle in Azerbaijani language was displayed on March 23, 1873. Hasanbay Malikov-Zardabi, pedagogue of real school and Najafgulu bey Vazirov, student of the school were initiators of the spectacle. Students of the real school played “Vizier of Lankaran Khanate” play by M.F.Akhundov on the stage of Baku Public Assembly. The second spectacle – “Haji Gara” (Miser's adventures) - another comedy by M.F.Akhundov was displayed on the hall of Baku Public Assembly, on April 17, 1873. Organization of professional theatre and staging of spectacles in Baku was stopped after the first spectacles. Zardabi was busy with creation of “Akinchi” newspaper, and Najaf bey Vazirov went to Russia for education. Opening of real school in Shusha in 1881, and elementary female school in 1894, also opening of a musical school by musical critic Kharrat Gulu and involvement of young singers there aroused interest of local intelligentsia in theatre. So, amateurish spectacles were staged by young pedagogues in Shusha, during summer holidays. In the first years, the repertoire consisted of M.F.Akhundov's works.
“New education” newspaper wrote on August 17, 1884:
Number of theatre-lovers resulted in appearance of young playwrights. H.Vazirov, teacher of native language in Russo-Tatar School in Shusha city, actively participated in amateur circle of young pedagogues, in the 1890s. In 1892, amateurs staged “Marrying – not slaking the thirst” play by H.Vazirov. This spectacle was wrecked by fanatically incited believers and actors were made to escape through back door. Muslim priesthood, who considered literature and theatre an obscene work, began to impede display of spectacles. Ruling intelligentsia of Shusha, who began a battle with such reaction, organized new spectacles. In summer of 1984, the spectacles such as “Haji Gara”, “Monsieur Jordan the botanist and famous sorcerer dervish Mastali Shah” and “Bear, the winner of rubbers” were staged one after another by young pedagogues for charitable purposes. In 1895, those actors finally finished “Marrying – not slaking the thirst” play by H.Vazirov. Success of the spectacle was mentioned in “Terjuman” newspaper.
In 1896, a new “Broken nestle” tragedy by A.Hagverdiyev was displayed in Shusha. Author of the play was director of the spectacle. In 1904, amateurs realized staging of “Othello” by W.Shakespeare. H.Vazirov was translator and performer of Othello's peace.
By the end of the 19th century, spectacles in Azerbaijani language were staged in province cities such as Nukha, Ganja, Shamakhi, Nakhchivan and others. Followers of Akhundov's drama school, Najaf bey Vazirov, Hashim bey Vazirov, Nariman Narimanov, Abdurrahim bey Hagverdiyev, Jalil Mammadguluzadeh and Suleyman Sani Akhundov, were organizers of theatrical spectacles.