October 23, 2007
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Ardavazt Theater Company Scores Big Success with Carlo Goldoni's "The Venetian Twins"

  • A scene from the 2007 Ardavazt production of "The Venetian T
    A scene from the 2007 Ardavazt production of "The Venetian Twins".

On the occasion of the AGBU centennial and the three hundredth anniversary of the birth of the renowned Venetian satirist Carlo Goldoni (1707-1793), the AGBU Ardavazt Theater Company gave 10 warmly received performances of the latter's slapstick comedy "The Venetian Twins." Under the direction of Krikor Satamian, Ardavazt performed at the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center in Pasadena between September 8 and October 7, at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Fresno on October 14, and finally in Orange County on October 21.

This two-act play, which was rendered into Armenian by director Satamian, is about identical twins, separated at birth, who arrive in Verona on business. While there, a case of mistaken identity results in comedic chaos that includes duels, betrayals, quarrels, arrests, a chest of stolen jewels and a death from poisoned wine.

There were two factors distinguishing "The Venetian Twins" from the group's previous productions: one, the absence of Ardavazt's founder and director Krikor Satamian in a performing role, and two, the predominance of young performers in the cast, many of whom have graduated from Los Angeles-area Armenian schools, particularly AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School. "This bold undertaking," writes Sarkis H. Minassian in "Nor Or" (September 22, 2007), "is a supreme accomplishment for Ardavazt Theater Company and, especially, its veteran director Krikor Satamian. The most significant interpretation of such a reality is that...[AGBU] believes in the talents of our youth, the preservation of their identity and their ability to express themselves in Armenian."

Minassian goes on to say:

"During the performance on Sunday evening, September 9, Ari Libaridian displayed the high quality of his acting talent, appearing alternately as Zanetto and Tonino, the Venetian twins with opposite personalities.

The successful acting of Aram Mouradian (Pancrazio) on a professional level was obvious.

Maria Shakelian (Colombina), Maral Kojayan (Beatrice) and Narine Avakian (Rosaura) created original and convincing roles with their smooth and self-confident acting. Particularly in the cases of A. Libaridian, N. Avakian and A. Kurian, and in the style of Comedia del Arte, the director sometimes gave them license, indirectly encouraging them to make certain spontaneous theatrical gestures, voice undulations and expressive facial contortions."

During the Pasadena run of "The Venetian Twins," a gala banquet was held in the aforementioned center's Boyajian Hall. Samuel Ilanjian, chairman of the Ardavazt Theater Company's executive committee, thanked the AGBU Central Board of Directors and the AGBU Southern California District Committee for their financial and moral support; veteran actor and director Krikor Satamian; talented artist and sculptor Emil Kazaz for making the poster of "The Venetian Twins"; Raffi Bo for painting the sets; and Anoush Najarian, hairdresser.

Krikor Satamian, in turn, thanked the technical crew: stage directors Maro Ajemian and Roupen Harmandayan; Arpie Emirzian, in charge of stage props; Anahid Harmandayan, in charge of wardrobe; Raffi Kalamkarian, in charge of lights and sounds; Serge Navian and Hratch Ajemian, for set construction; Marina Messerlian, stage assistant; and Jenny Kiljian, administrative liaison.

Los Angeles-area theatergoers can now look forward to Ardavazt's presentation of Dikran Tchukhadjian's third operetta, "Zemire," in March 2008, in conjunction with the Lark Musical Society directed by Vatsche Barsoumian.

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