According to publicly available information, nine members of the troupe of Kote Marjanishvili State Academic Theatre were dismissed, including Eka Nizharadze, Natia Gubenko, Maia Katsitadze, Irakli Cholokashvili, Ninaka Gelashvili, Guram Jashi, and Zaza Iakashvili.

The theatre has not issued a public statement regarding any reorganization and has not provided reasons for the dismissals. According to the actors, in January, instead of the usual one-year contracts, they were offered three-month contracts, which expired on 30 April.

“I did not receive any official notification. They simply offered a three-month contract for the first time, and this was a sign for me that they intended to terminate the contract,” – stated Irakli Cholokashvili in an interview with TV Pirveli.

The dismissals took place against the backdrop of the active participation of part of the theatre community in anti-government and pro-European demonstrations. According to the dismissed actors and media reports, their civic engagement may have been the reason for the dismissals.