New Stage

Synopsis

Act I

First scene

It is night. Young lovers Azhar and Aidar are running away from the enraged family of Narymbet. (Beautiful Azhar has been engaged since childhood, but her fiancé has died and according to an ancient tradition, she must marry his brother Narymbet). Aidar says bitterly that his horse has died and hence they will not be able to escape from their pursuers, though Abai’s aul is not far.

Azhar begs Aidar to flee alone, but he rejects: “How can I spend the rest of my life in shame? I’d rather die!” They try to hide behind the ruins of an ancient mazar. However, suddenly, the pursuers appear, screaming: “Seize them! Bind them!” They bind the couple and prepare to tie them to a horse’s tail and gallop it. Aidar and Azhar say goodbye to each other. In despair, Aidar calls out to his teacher Abai.

Abai appears together with Aidar’s friends – Kokbai and Azim, who is Abai’s relative and representative of a noble family, and others. Abai orders Kokbai to cut the rope. Narymbet’s relatives together with Zhirenshe, the head of the clan, call to follow the ancestors’ law, but Abai wants to seek the court’s decision. Being confident of his victory in court, Zhirenshe agrees and lets Aidar and Azhar go.


Second scene

Left alone, Azim ponders whether Aidar’s guilt is too big. Zhirenshe enters and asks him to help return Azhar in her aul. This would bring peace and tranquility, which are very important to Azim.

Zhirenshe says: “Even though Abai is close to you, your true friend is the people. If the people are in rage with Abai, they will not hurt you!” He leaves Azim with his thoughts.

Meanwhile, Abai and Aidar have a conversation in Abai’s room. Abai praises Aidar’s poetic talent. His praises spark envy and jealousy in Azim, who comes in suddenly. It seems to him that Aidar’s songs will anger the enemies and he blames Aidar for inflaming hostility. However, Abai is convinced that it is not silence that composes songs, the intensity of the struggle makes the thought tingle!

In anger, Azim leaves.

The elder Syrttan comes to hear what Azhar has to say, as she has no right to address the court and state her defense. Azhar tells him about her wretched life and her feelings for Aidar. Having listened to her sincere and touching story, Syrttan leaves, saying that he will deliver his verdict the next day.

Left alone, Abai decides to protect the young couple.


Act II

Third scene

In court. The assembled people are waiting for the verdict for Azhar and Aidar. In his first speech, Syrttan calls upon people to discuss the thorny problem of the ancient laws. Zhirenshe defends the ancient traditions, which have always provided peace in the Steppe. His opponent Azim proclaims the primacy of human feelings and the power of love, which was illustrated in the lives of Zhibek, Bayan, Leila and Juliet. He appeals for mercy, as the love of two should not be a reason for clan enmity. Zhirenshe agrees to spare Azhar, if she returns to her aul, and he wants Aidar to be executed in order to repress breaches of the laws of the Steppe.

He mentions the elder Kengirbai, who in ancient times sentenced Yenlik and Kebek to death. Zhirenshe accuses Abai of his protecting the violators of the law. Abai asks permission to speak. In his speech, he recalls that people avoided Kengirbai after his severe verdict.

Abai appeals that there should not be shedding of blood or people will remember the judges as shameful executioners.

The elder Syrttan finds Azhar and Aidar guilty, but says that they will not be sentenced to death. Being their respondent, Abai must pay the damages, and then the court will deflect blame away from Aidar and Azhar. Rejoicing people congratulate Abai, his students, and Azhar and Aidar who have come. All leave. Left alone, Zhirenshe, Narymbet and Mes swear to kill Abai, whom they consider to be the main culprit of their loss. Narymbet gives poison to Zhirenshe.


Act III

Forth scene

Pre-wedding preparations. Karlygash rejects Kokbai’s awkward courting. Abai, Aidar and Azim enter. Abai makes fun of Karlygash’s unlucky admirer and sends them both to prepare for the wedding performance. Voices of people who ask Aidar to sing a song are heard. Being afraid of new riots, Azim asks Aidar not to sing the song about Yenlik, but Aidar does not listen to him. Azim’s heart is full of envy and anger, because everyone loves Aidar, in particular, Abai. He decides to kill the young talented poet. Azim justifies himself that Aidar is following the wrong way and leading Abai astray. Azim believes in the justice of the ancestors’ laws.

The wedding ceremony starts. Abai feels happy. The festive dance begins which is followed by the opening of the bridal veil and the bride’s obeisance to the respected relatives and guests.

Striking the right moment, Azim adds poison, which he has earlier taken from Zhirenshe, and gives the cup to Aidar. The dances continue, accompanied by the lyrical song “Karlygash”.

The guests ask Aidar to sing again. He performs the song “I said hello, Kalamkas”, but falls down suddenly.


Act IV

Fifth scene

Aidar is on his deathbed. He says goodbye to Azhar and regrets that has spent so little time with her. Abai and Azhar are distressed and overcome by grief. Aidar asks a question: “Can a person die from a curse?” Abai denies such a statement. Then Aidar shows his chest asking: “Then, what is this?” Everyone is shocked – Aidar’s body has blackened! Aidar answers himself: “I’ve been poisoned!”

Abai orders Kokbai to call people and informs them of what has happened to Aidar with deep sadness. The people are infuriated and demand to find the poisoner. Kokbai points publicly at Zhirenshe. Outraged people are waiting for his confession, but Zhirenshe swears his innocence to the elder Syrttan, who accepts it. Zhirenshe points at Azim asking him to swear too. Azim refuses. The people curse him and, having tied him to a horse’s tail, put the horse into gallop. Aidar dies. The funeral cry of Azhar is heard.

Abai is left alone in the darkness, but he believes in his people. Like a beacon, he shows them the path to a brighter future.