There is a lot to do in Stepanos Alikhanyan State Puppet Theater in Gyumri, which is Armenia’s oldest puppet theater. Newly appointed director Armine Manukyan lists the issues.
“The theater did not have any interior decoration for about 30 years. Now, any wall is in a poor condition and we try to adjust the situation through the help of philanthropists,” she says.
Especially, there is a lack of male actors in the theater.
During 83 years, many things have changed: the playground, the list of plays, but the purpose of the puppet theater has not changed, which is making the spirit of the Armenian fairy tales more recognizable to kids.
Regardless of everything, the theater has no lack of audience.
By the way, when the abonement system for schools is introduced, the number of audience will increase. Children in Gyumri love puppet shows and when they are given the opportunity to choose three cultural institutions, surely one of them will be the oldest puppet theater.
More information is in the video.