WELCOME TO KAZAKHSTAN

Theater is often called a mirror of life. But sometimes it becomes more than just a reflection of reality; it becomes a space where society can speak out loud about topics that often remain painful and uncomfortable in everyday life. A new premiere at the A. Mambetov State Drama and Comedy Theater in Astana addresses precisely this topic.On June 19 and 20, audiences will be treated to the drama therapy production "Taueldi"—a play dedicated to the problem of addiction in modern society. The production examines addiction not only as a personal drama but also as a complex socio-psychological phenomenon affecting family, loved ones, and the entire community.The play centers on the fates of people caught in various forms of addiction. The characters meet in a therapeutic space and share difficult stories from their lives. Through their confessions, the audience sees that addiction destroys not only the individual but also relationships, trust, inner support, and connections with loved ones. The production draws on elements of documentary theater and drama therapy. The authors do not view addiction as a mere bad habit or a sign of weakness. Rather, it is presented as a consequence of internal psychological trauma, unexpressed pain, and unresolved issues. The main goal of drama therapy is not simply to bring the problem to the stage, but also to emphasize prevention, the importance of psychological support, and the need for open communication.One of the key themes of the production is the recognition of the problem. A person's willingness to recognize and accept their addiction is shown as the first step to healing. The characters' internal struggles, their attempts to understand themselves and their past, compel the audience to reflect on their own experiences.The play's author and director is Nurzhigit Musilim. He began his career as a theater actor and has in recent years actively pursued his work as a director and playwright. Audiences are familiar with him from the plays "My Life" and "Este Saqta," where he also wrote and directed. It's worth noting that the play "My Life," which became the basis for the drama "Zhyly My Life" in the theater's repertoire, was among the best works in the 2026 selection of the European network for theatrical translation, Eurodram. Furthermore, under the direction of Nurzhigit Musilim, the plays "Ashten," "Kishkentai Khanzada," "Asan Men Usen," and "Armandar Oryndalady" were staged, as well as a production of "Este Saqta" at the Ozgeepic free creative space. The new play "Taoueldі" was shortlisted for the annual contemporary drama festival Drama.KZ 2026 and was recognized among the 12 best works.According to the director, the topic of addiction has become especially relevant to society in recent years."Initially, we planned to include six types of addiction in the play." But as we worked, we realized it was impossible to fully explore all these themes within a single production. So we focused on gambling addiction, problem gambling, and drug addiction. During preparation, we met with psychologists and explored their professional experiences. It was important for us not just to portray addiction from the outside, but to understand how it affects a person's inner world. Very often, its roots are linked to unresolved life issues, childhood trauma, and the pain a person carries within for a long time. That's why the production is called drama therapy. We don't give the audience ready-made answers, but invite them to reflect on and experience their inner struggles alongside the characters. The chamber format of the play was also chosen deliberately. It reduces the distance between actor and audience, creating a sense of a unified therapeutic space. Drama therapy is now used internationally as one of the most effective methods of working with people facing addiction. Through this production, we want to draw attention to the prevention of this problem and help the audience gain a deeper understanding of people who find themselves in this situation," says Nurzhigit Musilim.The actors also note the production's unique character. According to them, each character in the play is not simply a person with a specific addiction. It is also a story about the reasons that led to this state.Actress Shapagat Uzakbaeva, who plays Nazar, emphasizes that a psychological play requires special internal preparation."Every role has its place in an actor's creative life. But developing a character in a psychological play requires a special responsibility. It's not enough to simply recite the lines and perform the action. You need to enter the character's inner world, feel their fear, pain, and emotional tension. Nazar is a person who, as a child, didn't receive enough love, care, and attention from her parents and loved ones. Therefore, she spends her entire life searching for this warmth in others. This is a very serious problem, which is also common in modern society. Through this character, one can especially clearly sense how important a father's support, care, and presence are for a girl. While working on this role, I myself experienced a newfound respect and love for my father. In life, we often see teenagers who lack warmth and support make mistakes. If our performance makes even one viewer think, be more considerate, and treat others more kindly, then our job as actors has been accomplished," says the actress.