On 13 November 2025 at 7:00 PM, the private Kazakh theatre company The Arts Stage will present the UK premiere of The Black Cloak at the Shaw Bernardo Theatre. This emotionally charged allegorical play explores timeless themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and moral decay – inviting audiences to reflect deeply on the state of the modern world.

The Black Cloak is considered a modern classic of parabolic drama. Through a cast of animal characters that speak and behave like humans, the play holds up a mirror to society, exposing corruption, blind loyalty, and the personal cost of integrity. The only human character in the story – a shepherd – views the loyal dog Tuzar not as a living being, but as a tool. This metaphor drives a deeply moving narrative that challenges the audience to question their own values and relationships.

The production is directed by Askhat Mayemirov, a renowned Kazakh theatre director, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan, recipient of the prestigious Qurmet Order, and professor at the Kazakh National University of Arts. Known for his psychologically complex and visually innovative work, Dr.Mayemirov brings a daring, raw energy to the London premiere. His creative process included an intensive month-long psychological training programme with the cast to help them embody characters that exist between animal instinct and human consciousness.

The play stars a remarkable ensemble of Kazakh actors, including Tuzar, the loyal dog (Maksat Sabitov), Kokzhal, the cunning leader of the wolf pack (Yedil Ramazanov), A young and pragmatic she-wolf (Akkenzhe Alimzhan), Kosurey, the self-important hare (Lidiya Kadenova), Sylan, the reckless fox (Shynargul Kabysheva), Kukar, the wise old raven (Yerlan Karibayev), and others.

The theatre’s founders bring a wealth of experience and passion to this production. Producer Shynargul Kabysheva, an award-winning actress in both theatre and film, holds a master’s degree in Theatre Direction and has received numerous national and international honours. Theatre director Akkenzhe Alimzhan, a distinguished actress and academic with degrees from the USA and Kazakhstan, is also a laureate of several arts festivals.

The Black Cloak is more than a play – it is a cultural bridge. With support from Red Square Agency, The Arts Stage aims to introduce UK audiences to the vibrancy and depth of Kazakhstan’s contemporary theatre scene.

As the team behind the production states: “We’ve been preparing for this event for over a year – gathering Kazakhstan’s finest talent, choosing a script that speaks to the heart, and collaborating with one of our country’s most visionary directors. We believe British audiences will not only relate to this story but feel its urgency. This is the beginning of a dialogue, a lasting cultural exchange between Kazakhstan and the UK.”

Join us for a night of unforgettable theatre – where ancient allegory meets modern relevance, and the animal world reveals the very soul of humanity.

Tickets for the premiere are available: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-black-cloak-double-bill-tickets-1587389317179

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-london/press/news/details/1067234?lang=kk