The Bluebird
Written & Performed by Buba Basishvili
Theater Artibus
Take flight with The Bluebird, a wordless & bittersweet journey of dreams and dreamers that invites the audiences to engage with themes of identity, exclusion, and resilience. This production is inspired by Charles Bukowski's evocative poem The Bluebird, Basishvili's own immigration story, and the experiences of countless others who have left their homes for other lands. It poses questions about society's response to the aspirations of newcomers who tenuously hold onto hope, even when their dreams feel unattainable. “There’s a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out,” opens the first line of Bukowski’s poem, “…I only let him out at night sometimes, when everybody’s asleep.”
Buba Basishvili
Buba Basishvili, a theater maker from the Republic of Georgia, brings a wealth of experience to the stage with a background spanning over 15 years as a lead performer and teacher at the Georgian State Pantomime Theater. Adding depth to Basishvili's performance is original music by the avant-garde duo, Homospouses (Lika Shubitidze and Archil Gegechkori), who are real-life spouses with roots in Georgia and Colorado. Their experimental baroque-pop compositions, a collaboration between Buba Basishvili and Homospouses, is a testament to the power of artistic synergy and shared cultural heritage. By intertwining narratives of immigration, yearning, and creative expression, the artists have forged connections that transcend geographical boundaries and speak to the human experience. After a history of occupation, in 2008, Russia again invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia and continues to occupy 20 percent of its territory. This turbulent history adds layers of significance to The Bluebird, as it explores themes of perseverance and the quest for freedom from oppression.
Theatre Artibus is dedicated to the creation of original works that blend physical exploration of contemporary issues with non-verbal storytelling. For more information, visit www.theartibus.com.