Tbileli Marine

Tbileli, Marine (25. X. 1920, Telavi – 24. III. 2002, Tbilisi), actress, People’s Artist of Georgia (1966). In 1940, she graduated from the Shota Rustaveli State Theater Institute and was admitted into the troupe of the Rustaveli State Academic Theater in the same year. From 1946, she was an actress at the K. Marjanishvili State Academic Theater, before returning to the Rustaveli Theater in 1974. She was distinguished by her genuine artistry, scenic charm, musicality, plasticity, and capacity for transformation.

Her theatrical roles included: Princess Tekla (S. Shanshiashvili’s The Heroes of Krtsanisi), Florella (Lope de Vega’s The Dancing Master), Larisa (N. Ostrovsky’s Without a Dowry), Maria Antonovna (N. Gogol’s The Government Inspector), Kekela (Old Vaudevilles), Darejan (after I. Chavchavadze’s Is He a Human, This "Man"?!), Natela (B. Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle), Milenina (A. Gelman’s The Beginning), and the Duchess of York (W. Shakespeare’s Richard III), among others.

From 1955, she was also active in cinema. Her high professional culture and delicate irony lent a particular charm to her screen portrayals. Notable film roles include: Bubusia (The Scold, 1955), Patmani (Bashi-Achuki, 1956), Marta (A Woman’s Burden, 1957), Alisa (The Dolls Are Laughing, 1963), and Tashnaura (Chiriki and Chikotela, 1972). Tbileli also created compelling characters in Armenian films: Rosalia (For the Sake of Honor, 1955, Yerevan Film Studio), Gohar (A Mother’s Heart, 1958), and Zarui (Twelve Companions, 1962). She was awarded the Order of Honor (1999) and other state decorations.

Literature: გ ე გ ი ა  მ., მარინე თბილელი, თბ., 1974.