Musical Wish Tree on Pantomime Theater Stage
Since our early childhood, we, Georgian kids, have been accustomed to fastening pieces of colored paper or tissue onto trees referred to as ‘Wish trees’. Everyone who has been to Turtle Lake, or on excursions to the countryside, will have seen these beautifully decorated trees, usually in the vicinity of churches. And any Georgian who was a child in the 90s will remember well that Roma Rtskhiladze, famous pianist, singer and composer, had an ensemble and a song by the same name ‘Wish Tree’. The premiere of the namesake performance took place at Tbilisi Event Hall. However, in January, the Wishers returned to their native stage at the pantomime theater.
GEORGIA TODAY interviewed Davit Shalikashvili, director of the show.
How did you come up with the idea for ‘Wish Tree?’
It came from a number of things. However, the major role in the conception of the performance was Rtskhiladze’s song. I used to go to Manglisi a lot, which had its own Wish tree. I used to fasten a piece of tissue on it every time. Of course, we’re not small kids who believe that it will make your wish come true, but it was a kind of ritual. Once, when I was passing by place, I saw that the tree had been cut down: it was lying there, as if mocking at our wishes. Who else but a real sadist could do that? It inspired me greatly. My late elder brother would encourage me to stage it. Only after his death did I manage to do so, and naturally, it is dedicated to his memory. Roma Rtskhiladze was his friend. So, I made my brother’s wish come true by calling Roma, who sings live in the performance.
What is the main message of ‘Wish Tree’?
I can’t imagine not a single person without wishes. Wishes are what cheer our lives up. They give us hope, whether or not they can come true, and motivation
Once I was in Kakheti as a pilgrim to one of the monasteries. The locals told me that one of the local Wish Trees died eight years previously. But, it was a beautiful tree. Me and my friends were the first ones to fasten the tissues on it. Later, when I called my Kakhetian friend, he told me that the tree was already heavy with pieces of colorful handkerchiefs. In the performance, the Wish Tree is cut down, but another rises in its place. The main message is that generations come and go, but Wish Trees are something deeply rooted in our psychology and a permanent feature in our lives.
What is the aim of the show?
First, to distract the audience from everyday problems. It is visually very colorful and beautiful, lit with neon lights. I want to enliven the children in all of the spectators; those who once tied their own wishes to trees. I want to make them want to do the same again. The performance is interactive, and the audience is allowed to fasten tissues to the tree during the performance. It does not matter whether we believe or not that the wishes will come true, but even the mere instant of making a wish itself and tying it on is something magical that will pull them out of everyday life. If this one hour is spent pleasantly, and if they will think about the performance another hour after leaving, I will say that my goal has been achieved.
The audience sits on the stage. Why?
One of the reasons is that there is a lot of scenery and a lot of actors and, therefore, there was not enough space on stage. The spectators watch not only pantomime, but also dances. As I mentioned above, Roma Rtskhiladze sings live. The original electronic music belongs to Dato Sanikidze. Live music accompanies the performance from the beginning to the end. I’m turning 40 soon. Life isn’t easy, but I found a kind of refuge in Wish Tree which calms me. Life is so much more than the material things.
Tickets can be bought on tkt.ge or on at the booking office
When: January 26-27, at 8 PM
Where: Pantomime State Theater, Rustaveli Avenue 37 (opposite Rustaveli Metro)
Maka Lomadze