Academic Kazakh Drama Theater named after Makhambet was founded on March 5, 1938 by the decision of the People’s Commissariat. After the 1-year theater studio at the Neftyanik club in Guryev (Kuat Tulekov, Shashty Zhumabekova, Aitzhan Yesenbayev, Onay Jaksybayev, Kurmangali Dogalakov, Abil Kizatov, Maria Turaliyeva, Balym Yesenbayeva, Kairzhan Imashev, Mendesh Esenbayev and others were there) and the Guryev Theater merged with regional Kazakh Drama Theater in Kyzylzhar (Petropavlovsk). Thus, the first performance was Mukhtar Auezov’s “Tungi Saryn”. Then the theater introduced its artists in performances “Amangeldy” by G.Musrepov, “Aiman-Sholpan” by M.Auezov, “Scapin the Schemer” by Moliere, “The Government Inspector” by Gogol, “The Servant of Two Masters” by Gogol. During the Great Patriotic War, when 25 men were sent to the front, three brigades led by Zaripa Suleimenova, Alma Akhmetova and Jamila Ibragimova continued their concerts and performances in regional centers, oil fields, fisheries and supported their spirits.
In the post-war years, in order to improve the quality of theater and drama and increase creative potential, in 1948 the Kazakh Musical Comedy Theater in Uralsk merjed with the Guryev Theater. T. Ergaliyev, Sh. Orazgaliyev, A. Akzharova, K. Zhumaeva, young talents A. Aitkaliev, K. Imangaliev, G. Umbetov, the chief director of the theater N.V. S Molchanov and others came from the Uralsk Theater and the Guryev Theater was renamed to the Guryev Musical Drama Theater. These years were the beginning of staging musical dramas and operettas. Performances of M. Akynzhanov’s “Altyn Saqa”, Gogol’s “The Government Inspector”, Tipot’s “Wedding in Malinovka”, G. Musrepov’s “Qyz Zhibek” and “Yertargyn” and operettas “Rose Maria”, “Shalkygan Tengiz” were staged there.
The staff of the theater has achieved great success owing to their hard work on improving their skills. Performances “Abai”, “Wedding”, “Amangeldy”, “Assauga Tussau”, “Ybyrai Altynsarin” staged in 1950-1960, greatly contributed to the mastery of the actors.
In the first spring of the Republican Theater in Almaty in 1956-1957, S.Mukanov’s Botagoz performance directed by T. Duisebayev, a graduate of the Tashkent Theater Institute, received the award of the Kazakh SSR Ministry of Culture.
Audiences welcomed A. Tazhibayev’s “Lovers”, B. Malin’s “Shuga”, B. Korkytov’s “Noble People”, M. Akynzhanov’s “Isatai-Makhambet”, Schiller’s “Evil and Love” in Almaty. “Lovers” (directed by K. Dogalakov) was especially appreciated, and this was the outstanding achievement of the theater. As a result of creative research, K. Tulekov and Z. Suleimenova were awarded the honorary title of People’s Artist, A. Akhmetova, Zh. Manapova, K. Imangalieva, Y. Imankulov were awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of the Republic and first-class diplomas and valuable gifts. Awarding of a group of artists with diplomas of the Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh SSR showed the appearance of the theater, was evidence that the theater is in the right direction.
As a result of many years of immeasurable work in the art of theater, K. Tulekov, A. Akhmetova, Zh. Manapova, Z. Suleimenova were awarded the title of People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, K. Dogalakov, O. Jaksybayev, Y. Imankulov, K. Imanalieva, T. Kydyrgaliyev, Sh. Karibayev, A. Sultangaliev, S. Duzbayev were awarded the title of Honored Artists of Kazakhstan. Zh.Ibragimova, A.Aitkaliev, T.Khassenov, H.Bolatov, Sh.Abuuly, who worked side by side with them, became real theatrical talents who left contributed in a great heritage of the theater.
Sh. Gataulin, A.I. Susanov-Sayansky, A. Esenbaev, N.L. Legotin, R.M. Sharafutdinova, M.Kambarov, K.Zhetpisbayev, I Don-Uk, Sh.Zulkashev worked as directors of the theater.
In 1975 the theater was moved to a new house. This new building has expanded the creative potential of the art collective.
In 1994, our theater team won the competition of theaters dedicated to S. Seifullin’s 100th anniversary in Zhezkazgan. K. Myrzaliev’s performance “Wounded Tiger” won the first place and actor T. Kuanyshev, who played Baimagambet, was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, director Sh. Karibayev was awarded the Prize Named after Makhambet and “Wounded Tiger” performance was sent to Egypt.
At the 9th Festival of Kazakhstan Theaters dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, R. Otarbayev’s performance Beibarys (Director Ch. Zulkash) was presented for the first time in the country as a gift to all foreign guests in Almaty, Petropavlovsk and our regional center who came to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Kazakh oil.
The director of the play “One day of Makhambet” (Ch. Zulkash) written by S. Nazarbekuly was greatly welcomed during the 200th anniversary of Makhambet, which was celebrated within the UNESCO.
In 2008, at the 14th Republican Festival of Theaters of Kazakhstan, N. Zhumaniyazov, the director of M. Auezov’s drama “Karakoz”, became a diploma winner, and theater actor Sabit Kozhabekov was awarded a diploma for “Best Supporting Actor”.
In 2010 he took part in the Republican Festival of Theaters dedicated to the 100th anniversary of B. Momyshuly in Taraz with the lyrical sad performance of Mukangali Tomanov “Unrequited feeling” and won the “People’s Choice Award”.
The theater was headed by People’s Artist of the Kazakh SSR K. Tulekov for more than thirty years, as well as by cultural figure, musician N. Ulkenbayev, K. Otegenov, Honored Artist of Kazakhstan Sh. Karibayev, M. Gumarov, play writer R. Otarbayev, honored worker of Kazakhstan, poet K. Zhylkyshiev, director-play writer A. Ihsan and others.
In 2012, the theater took part in the 20th Republican Festival of Drama Theaters of Kazakhstan, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of A. Mambetov, in Uralsk with the play “Dear Pamela” by D. Patrick.
In 2013, actress L. Apanayeva got the nomination “The Best Debut” for playing in the performance “Servant Robbers” at the Western Regional Theater Festival in Uralsk.
In 2015, our Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, laureate of the International Prize named after Chingiz Aitmatov, outstanding writer and play writer Rakhimzhan Otarbayev took part in the 1st International Theater Festival with the historical drama “Head” by R. Otarbayev and won the 2nd prize.
In 2016, director Gulnaz Kamysbayeva won the nomination “The Best Director” in the 24th Republican Festival of Drama Theaters of Kazakhstan dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the drama “Mangurt” by Sh. Aitmatov.
Took part in the Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, winner of the International Chingiz Aitmatov Prize, outstanding writer and play-writer Rakhimzhan Otarbayev’s 2nd International Theater Festival with the comedy “Twin” by R. Otarbayev.
In 2017 the theater took part in the Republican Festival of Theaters “Golden Man of Eternal Country” devoted to works of the laureate of the State Prize in 2017, winner of the International Prize “Alash” and the Independent Prize “Platinum Tarlan”, poet, “play-writer Iran-Gayyp (Iranbek Abitaevich Orazbayev) with the drama “Suyunbay” by I.Gayip and won the “People’s Choice Award”.
This performance was shown in 2017 as part of the International EXPO in Astana.
In June 2017, it took part in the 19th International Festival of Ancient Theaters “Bosporus Lights” in Kerch, Republic of Crimea, Russia, with Euripides’s tragedy “Medea” and won the nomination of “Modern Reading of Ancient Themes”.
At the 14th Republican Festival of Theaters in Aktobe in 2016, director G. Kamysbayeva won the nomination “For directorial work” with the play “Mangurt” by Sh. Aitmatov, and with this performance in 2017 in Astana under the Ruhani Zhangyru program she won the first place at the 1st Republican Forum of Young Directors named after Kairat Sugurbekov.
In 2016, Beibarys Publishing House in Astana published 1,000 copies of the original book of the theater, covering the past and present history of the theater, entitled “Atyrau Regional Drama Theater”, authored by Honored Worker of Kazakhstan Aliya Bopezhanova.
In 2017, it participated in the 25th Republican Festival of Drama Theaters of Kazakhstan, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, Laureate of the State Prize of Kazakhstan, Professor A. Sygai, held in Astana as part of Expo-2017 with R. Otarbayev’s drama “Head” in the nomination “For raising the important issue”.
In 2017, the theater toured Russia and staged the documentary drama “Investigation”by G. Pryakhin at the Moscow Modern Theater. That year in Astana it will performed at the International Exhibition Expo-2017 with two large performances promoting the friendship of peoples, historical epic “Bayandy Baq” by M. Otarbayev and “Suyunbay” by I. Gaip.
On March 27, 2017, a small hall for 70 seats was fully equipped and put into operation. Repertoire and experimental performances are regularly staged in this hall, as well as laboratory work, stage movement, dance lessons, rehearsals.
On March 27, 2017, the theater actress Shynar Ramazanova was awarded the nomination “Hope” of the National Theater Award “Sakhnager-2017” for acting in theatrical art of the Association of Theaters of Kazakhstan.
In November 2017, it performed M. Otarbayev’s play “Bayandy Bak” in Afshin and Malatya, Turkey. Going on tours to such near and far countries, participation in festivals – opened a clear way for revival, creative growth and breakthrough of the theater.
In 2018, the head of the theater Berik Kilekeshevich Jamenov was awarded the National Theater Award “SAKHNAGER-2018” in the nomination of “Best Manager” for organizational achievements of the Theater Association of Kazakhstan in theatrical art.
In February 2018, the chief artist of the theater, member of the Union of Artists of Kazakhstan T.M. Mukhtarov held a theatrical installation exhibition “Artist’s Impression”.
In 2018, the theater actor Mussagaliyev Askhat was awarded the nomination “Hope” of the National Theater Award “Sakhnager-2018” for acting in theatrical art of the Association of Theaters of Kazakhstan.
By Resolution № 52 of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated February 13, 2018, our theater was awarded the Academic title and the name of the institution was changed to the Regional State Academic Kazakh Drama Theater named after Makhambet.
In 2018, the theater toured Cologne, Germany with the play “Mangurt” by Sh. Aitmatov.
In December 16, 2018, on the Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan Akim of Atyrau region Nurlan Askaruly Nogayev presetned to the Head of the Atyrau Regional Academic Kazakh Drama Theater Berik Kilekeshevich Jamenov the Qurmet Order signed by the decree of the President 5.XII in 2018.
In February 2019, by recommendation of the Advertising Association of Kazakhstan in the “NASIKHAT” nomination for outstanding organizational work in promoting the work of Makhambet, the director of the Academic Kazakh Drama Theater named after Makhambet Berik Kilekeshevich Jamenov was awarded the “Makhambet Prize”.
On March 27, 2019, on the International Theater Day, the veteran of the Academic Kazakh Drama Theater named after Makhambet, veteran director Ch. Zulkash and the chief director of the theater M. Tomanov were awarded the “Makhambet Prize”.
In November 2019, at the 2nd Republican Festival of Theaters named after R. Otarbayev, the theater took part in the performance of R. Otarbayev “Loneliness” and won the Grand Prix.
By the decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.K. Tokayev dated November 19, 2019, the theater actor Sabit Kozhabekov was awarded the title of “Honored Worker of Kazakhstan”.
On December 17, 2019, the theater actor Nurbek Syezkhan was awarded the nomination “Hope” of the National Theater Award “Sakhnager-2019” for acting in theatrical art of the Association of Theaters of Kazakhstan.
According to the results of the contest “Man of 2019” of Atyrau city akimat, the theater director Teltayev Zhanat Bakytovich was awarded the nomination “Cultural Worker of the Year” for outstanding work and creative achievements in the development of culture.