About the yakuts folk theatre

The article raises the problem of studying folklore theatre among the Yakuts and its function in modern times. Several oral genres of the Yakut folk poetry can be evaluated as Before-theatre by some features, namely (“Olonkho” — the oral epics, “Algys” — incantation blessings, “chabyrgah”— tongue twisters) as well as ritual ceremony actions as “Ysyakh”— feasts, shamanic kamlanye — sessions.

Ludic and dramatic elements of the Yakut oral poetry are as follows:

• a clear compositional structure with consistent development of action;

• architectonics of the performance arena, its division into two parts — a place for action and a place for spectators, including small constructions, attributes and objects, indicating theatrical “place and time of action”;

• natural lighting, which creates a certain atmosphere for events happening either on open or closed arena of action;

• musical accompaniment with folk musical instruments;

• performance using artistic and expressive means — voice, gestures, facial expressions, plastics, songs and dance moves, resembling means of creating images used by professional theatre actors.

There in the olonkho epics performed “roles” are manifested by monologues and dialogues of the characters. Each character is marked with special “olonkho” singing style, melodic, intonation, timbre coloration voice by which artist creates a particular image. This is a unique theatrical performance, role play, where the “olonkhosut” — singer of tales masters not only a special singing technique, but also the art of stage performance.