“The Oil Boom Smiles on Everyone”

Age Restriction: 18+
Author: Maksud Ibragimbekov (People’s Writer)
Stage Director and Sound Designer: Konstantin Soldatov (Golden Mask Award Laureate)
Sound Designer: Platon Soldatov
Production Designer: Chingiz Babayev
Choreographer: Nigar Ibragimbeyli
Leading Cast: Honored Artists Shovgi Huseynov, Elnur Bahramkhan, Rasim Jafar; actors Bahram Aliheydar, Asya Atakishiyeva, Kerem Hadizade, Sabina Mammadzade, Nurlan Suleymanli, Manaf Dadashov, Shabnam Huseynova, Rashad Safarov, Umman Budagov, Mirza Agha Mirzayev, Ramiq Nasirov, Adalat Abdulsamad, Huseyn Bayramov, Mehriban Huseynova, Jeyhun Mammadov, Natiq Farzaliyev
Genre: Comic-style drama
Performance Duration: One act – 1 hour 20 minutes

Maksud Ibragimbekov’s play “The Oil Boom Smiles on Everyone” tells the story of the activities of Baku’s millionaires during the early stages of oil refining, operating beyond the sphere of the social and public events of the time. At the same time, the personal and political views of the leading forces of the era are embodied in the play. In essence, the central character is the HUMAN BEING, along with his position in life and his inner aspirations.

According to the protagonist Seymur, freedom, brotherhood, and equality cannot find their way to Baku. In the city, those with influence and connections are regarded as the true masters of life.

Seymur’s ideas of freedom emerged while he was still in St. Petersburg, where he maintained close ties with revolutionaries. In Baku, he continues to support the liberation movement, although he is unaware of how the financial resources are actually being spent. For this reason, the gendarmerie captain Gasimbeyov issues several warnings to him. In reality, Gasimbeyov’s aim is to destroy Seymur, take possession of his wealthy wife, and suppress his involvement in the freedom movement. To achieve this, Gasimbeyov meets Seymur’s wife, Aisha, and ensnares her in his web of deception. Upon discovering their betrayal, Seymur shoots Gasimbeyov, confesses his crime, and is imprisoned...

But why does the Oil Boom smile amid all these events?

Because of ignorant people like Gasimbeyov, the light that the Oil Boom could have spread across the homeland is obstructed. It is the very light by which homes and streets in Europe are illuminated. Yet thanks to patriots such as Seymur and Peter, people continue to look toward the future with hope. They live with dignity, a clear conscience, and an optimistic vision of tomorrow. As the geologist Peter says, happiness lies in faith. It is through that faith that today the Oil Boom smiles on everyone.

Presented in the comic genre, the performance is accompanied by illustrations that narrate the story of the characters’ lives, as well as visual tableaux that emerge from the truth of the characters themselves.