Everyone knows that St. Petersburg is the cultural capital of Russia. Indeed, no city in the country can boast of being the birthplace of so many prominent artists. Peter is also a real treasury of cultural heritage. We offer you a unique cultural route, the checkpoints of which will be the legendary St. Petersburg theaters. Bring a fan, an umbrella and a couple of posters with you, because here are the ten best theaters in St. Petersburg. The third call, we begin!
10. Theater Shelter comedian
Once the director Yuri Tomashevsky decided to modernize the concept of "theater of one actor", slightly seasoning it with his ideas. In general, in 1987 the story of the St. Petersburg Chamber Theater “Comedian's Shelter” began. Over time, the project began to gain momentum, in the theater evenings were organized with the participation of such artists as Alla Bayanova, Igor Volkov and Natalya Danilova. The highlight of the productions was the non-standard presentation, liberating the acting potential of the participants. From the basement "Comedian's Shelter" moved to the building on Sadovaya Street, in the city center. In different years, Ivan Krasko, Inga Oboldina and Pavel Chinarev appeared on the stage of the theater.
9. Theater Workshop
Further in our route is one of the youngest theaters in St. Petersburg. It was founded only 8 years ago, but the professionalism of the director (head of the theater Grigory Kozlov) and well-chosen cast made the “Workshop” famous and recognizable. Although stars of the first magnitude are not involved in the troupe, the theater’s repertoire includes works whose names everyone heard. “The Brothers Karamazov”, “Tom Sawyer”, “Days of the Trubins” and “Quiet Flows the Don” - this is not a complete list of performances staged in the “Workshop”. Every year, the theater participates in many festivals and takes prizes.
8. Youth Theater on the Fontanka
The history of this theater began in 1979, when actors of the Leningrad youth theater began rehearsing in the building of the former skating rink in the Izmailovsky Garden. The debut performance of the theater took place on January 18, 1980. Since then, the youth theater on the Fontanka has firmly taken its place among the best cultural institutions of St. Petersburg. The concept of the theater fully reflects the life position of its leader (Semen Yakovlevich Spivak dominates the Fontanka). “It's easy to talk about the complex” is the main idea. The Izmailovsky Garden eventually became a kind of fiefdom of the youth theater: sculptures made by actors and workers are located everywhere. In particular, the famous "St. Petersburg angel."
7. Musical Comedy Theater
The musical comedy theater is one of the oldest cultural institutions not only in St. Petersburg, but throughout Russia. Its building, located on Italian street, was erected back in 1800. As for the theater itself, the house was transferred to the use of artists in 1929 (in fact, the date of foundation). From the first day of the war, concert theater teams were created in the theater, playing performances and performances for soldiers wherever possible. In addition to rehearsals, the actors themselves also practiced military and sanitary affairs. Since 2005, the theater has been led by Yuri Schwarzkopf, and since 2006, the actors of the troupe annually win the highest theater prize of Peter “Golden Spotlights” in one or another category.
6. Buff Theater
This theater has a special story. After all, its existence is divided into 2 periods. The "Buff" was founded already in 1870 as a circus, which quite easily turned into a theater. At first, the performances consisted mainly of music, dances and tricks (often the role was played by foreign artists). However, in 1872 the theater building completely burned down. The former popularity of the establishment disappeared with the house, and in 1917 the "Buff" was abolished. The theater gained a second life in the early 80s and exists to this day. Today, comedy, melodrama, musicals, and music shows are staged here. It is curious that a segment of his career in the "Buff" was spent by such personalities as Igor Kornelyuk, Alexander Vasilyev ("Spleen"), Yuri Galtsev and Elena Vorobei.
5. The Bolshoi Drama Theater
Meanwhile, we are returning to Fontanka, where we are invited by a welcoming bell to go to the Bolshoi Drama Theater (BDT), which is preparing to celebrate its centenary next year. Among the theater’s repertoire are such performances as “The House of Bernard Alba”, “The Night Before Christmas”, “The Month in the Village” and the legendary “House where Heart Breaks”. Actors of the troupe regularly become laureates of the country's prestigious theater awards, including the Golden Mask. In different years, many famous artists appeared on the BDT stage. Alisa Freindlikh, Nina Usatova, Sergey Yursky, Ivan Krasko, Eugene Sidikhin - the list goes on. BDT is a true legend of St. Petersburg.
4. Alexandria Theater
As you might guess, only selected theaters were left in our route. Fortunately, there are plenty of those in St. Petersburg. Next in line is the famous Alexandrinka - perhaps the oldest theater in Russia, which has survived to this day safely. In 1756, the institution was opened under the leadership of the "father of the Russian theater" Fedor Volkov. After more than 250 years, the most famous plays performed by true masters of acting are played on the stage of Alexandrinka. “Seagull”, “Living Corpse”, “Examiner”, “Double” - everyone heard these names. In the same way, every theater-goer considers it his duty at least once in his life to visit a religious building on Ostrovsky Square.
3. Mikhailovsky Theater
Mikhailovsky Theater is also not young. Its opening took place in 1833, and the decree for this was personally signed by Nicholas I. The history of the theater is very rich in voiced names. In different years, Fedor Chaliapin, Matilda Kshesinskaya and Sarah Bernhardt appeared on the stage of Mikhailovsky. In addition, at one time there was an orchestra at the theater under the direction of Johann Strauss. Parterre also did not lag behind in stardom. Often in the audience such personalities as Pushkin, Tchaikovsky, Tolstoy and Zhukovsky were noticed. Wow company, right? Another curious fact is that the Mikhailovsky Theater has been renamed 6 times in its history, and in 2001, nevertheless, they returned to the historical name, closing the circle.
2. The Hermitage Theater
The building of the Hermitage Theater cannot be confused with anything - its green facade "looks" exactly into the Neva. In turn, the whole Palace Palace embankment admires the theater house. The date of opening of a cultural institution is considered to be November 16, 1785. It was on this day that the first opera was performed on the stage, entitled “Miller, sorcerer, deceiver and matchmaker.” At one time, Ivan Dmitrievsky, Petr Plavilshchikov, Tatyana Troepolskaya and Yakov Shumsky were engaged in the acting troupe of the Hermitage Theater. In the theater building, court balls and masquerades were often held. Today, the theater supports absolutely all historical traditions and carries the spirit of high culture.
1. Mariinsky Theater
It would be amazing if another theater would be the final point of our route, would it? After all, the legendary Mariinka is not only the opera diamond of St. Petersburg, but also the pearl of world theater art. The history of the Mariinsky Theater dates back to 1783, when the Bolshoi Theater (subsequently renamed) was erected by decree of Catherine the Great. Today, the Mariinka is a whole theater complex, which includes three stages (located in different buildings), as well as three branches (a stage in Vladivostok and two buildings in Vladikavkaz). It is noteworthy that for 30 years Valery Gergiev has been the permanent artistic director of the Mariinsky Theater.