One of the most striking and original (without exaggeration!) Can be considered a gypsy theater. The appearance of the Romen Theater in Moscow was made possible thanks to the traditions of choral singing of Moscow gypsies. At the end of the 19th century, Nikolai Shishkin, the head of the gypsy choir, created the first gypsy theater troupe, and already in 1930 the idea of creating a gypsy theater was supported by Lunacharsky.
History of the theater
The Romen Theater is the first professional gypsy theater in the world. It was preceded by the opening in January 1931 of the gypsy theater studio Indo-Romen in Moscow. By the end of the year, the studio became the Roma Gypsy Theater under the direction of Georgy Lebedev. Performances in the theater were staged exclusively in gypsy language and told the audience about the life of the camp.
Since 1937, with the arrival of the artistic director of the Moscow Art Theater Mikhail Yanshin, the gypsy theater, in essence, began to stage plays in Russian and, along with the works of gypsy playwrights, performances staged based on the works of both Russian and foreign authors appeared in his repertoire. Being a great connoisseur of gypsy culture, Yanshin managed to combine folklore and drama.
In 1969, the Romen Theater was transferred to an old building, which previously housed the Yar Restaurant. The building was built in 1910 and is equipped with the latest technology of the time. But visitors were attracted here not by outlandish novelties, but by the singing of gypsies.
In 1952, the building underwent reconstruction, after which a hotel was located next to the theater.
In 2005, the house was rebuilt again, returning to its original facade. The theater rooms and a cozy auditorium with 500 seats with a large stage were also renovated.
Moscow gypsy theater. Repertoire
Today the Romen Theater is the oldest of all the gypsy theaters in the world. He has a very rich repertoire, and given the expressive game of representatives of the gypsy nationality, their natural talent and love of bright costumes, the performances of the creative team leave an unforgettable impression on the audience.
- The folk musical spectacle “We are Gypsies” staged by Nikolai Slichenko is the hallmark of the theater. The whole troupe is involved in the play.
- “Grushenka” based on Leskov’s novel “The Enchanted Wanderer” directed by Nikolai Slichenko is a story about the love of two Russian men for the beautiful Grushenka, the pearl of the gypsy choir.
- Musical and romantic fantasy “Witching Love” - the works of Federico Garcia Lorca are taken as the basis of the performance .
- The musical-romantic fantasy “The Bells of Love” is based on Victor Hugo’s famous novel “Notre Dame de Paris”.
- The musical comedy “Horseshoe of Happiness” by Nikolay Lekarev in his production will tell the audience about gypsy love, friendship and fidelity.
These are just a few productions from the collection of the creative team. For young spectators, a gypsy theater in Moscow prepared a New Year's performance “Princess Kristana”.
Nikolay Slichenko. Theater Artistic Director
My favorite actor and singer with a magical voice, Nikolai Slichenko came to the Roma Moscow Gypsy Theater in 1951. He was then 16 years old. Arriving at the theater, a gypsy boy found a second home for himself, captivating everyone with his talent. Among his teachers were such luminaries as Lyalya Chernaya, I. Rom-Lebedev, I. Khrustalev and others.
A special place in the work of Nikolai Slichenko is the song. He sang not only in the theater, but also in the cinema and on the stage. The gypsy guitar has always been a faithful companion of a brilliant actor.
Nikolai often starred in films. One of the most striking and beloved by the audience was his role as an assistant to the red commander in the comedy film “Wedding in the Robin”.
A well-known artist showed himself in the role of a talented teacher. His efforts in 1978 created a special studio in which future artists of the Romen tetra were trained. Since 2005, Slichenko has led the Gypsy National Course at the Shchepkin Higher Theater School. Now the People's Artist of the USSR Nikolai Slichenko is the main director and artistic director of the Romen Theater.
The faces of the theater. Nikolay Lekarev
The troupe of the Romen Theater is a large creative family of gifted and dedicated people. Many of them act in films, perform at concerts. I would like to note the multifaceted talent of the actor and director of the theater, Honored Artist of Russia Nikolai Lekarev. This is a hereditary artist who first performed on stage when he was only four years old. Nikolai Lekarev is the author of the plays “Horseshoe of Happiness”, “Count of Diamonds” and others.
Nikolai proved himself as a poet, composer and songwriter for the TV series "Carmelita", the author of music for a number of performances, as a film artist. Viewers loved the role of Carmelita's wise father in the popular television series.
Gypsy Theater "Romen". Viewers reviews
The theater earned many wonderful and enthusiastic reviews from the grateful audience. Gypsy temperament leaves no one indifferent.
- The theater is very comfortable, almost homely, with a warm atmosphere.
- A very beautiful hall, however, it is better to choose a place in the center in order to fully enjoy everything that happens on the stage.
- The play “Diamonds and Love” pleased with a light story, fiery music, songs, dances, and playing the guitar. Actors play bright, talented. Such performances will decorate your evening and will leave fond memories for a long time.
- The value of the theater is that it is one of a kind. Any performance has a gypsy flavor. Everything is very beautiful, spectacular, musically. Colossal energy is transmitted from the artists to the viewer.
- On weekends, the theater hosts interesting concert programs and performances for children on weekends.
- The theater buffet is decorated in a gypsy style, gypsy songs always sound there.
- Most fans agree that the Romen Theater in Moscow is unique.