THEATRICAL WORKERS SHOULD UNITE TO OVERCOME "CRISIS OF THEATRE", RUBEN BABAYAN AND ARA YERNJAKIAN SAY

Noyan Tapan
Jun 22 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 22, NOYAN TAPAN. In order to overcome the "crisis of
the theatre" in Armenia, theatrical workers of the old, middle and
young generations should join their efforts and develop the draft
law on theatre.

Ara Yernjakian, artistic director of Yerevan Chamber Theatre,
and Ruben Babayan, artsistic director of Yerevan Puppet Theatre
after H. Tumanian, stated this at the June 21 joint press
conference. According to R. Babayan, there have been no reforms in
the sphere of theatre since Armenia’s independence. He said that an
attemp of declarative character was made to develop a draft law on
theatre, and its adoption would cause even more problems for theatrical
workers. "Measures should be taken in order to promote the dramatic
art in Armenia, which was done in a number of CIS countries," he noted.

As for the rumors that some theatres were deprived of their state
status, A. Yernjakian said that it would mean losing the dramatic
art. "Unless state assistance is given to theatres, they will suffer
the fate of the "Posi" and "Metro" Theatres. The institution of art
patronage has not yet formed in Armenia so it is useless to raise
this issue," A. Yernjakian said.

In the opinion of the press conference participants, the the
theatrical criticism should be improved in order to develop the
dramatic art in the country. There are no serious analyses of plays
in the press. "And how can critics analyse a play if they don’t
go to see theatrical performances. For this reason, the same play
can run for 15 years at some theatres considered as untouchable,"
A. Yernjakian and R. Babayan said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress