The Theater of the Soviet Army occupies its own special niche among other Moscow churches of Melpomene. Firstly, because this is the first departmental theater of the Ministry of Defense. And although later several more similar ones were created on his model throughout the country (mainly in the capitals of military districts), he remains the first and the capital.
Theater birth
In its entire history, and the theater received its first spectators on February 6, 1930 (it was created on the basis of several propaganda teams that have been working since 1929), and this, of course, has been renamed more than once. But the older generation will always remember it as the Theater of the Soviet Army.
Because it was precisely these years that his heyday came, and he was never lost against the backdrop of "fashionable" bands. And even at that time, when tickets for the performances “Good man from Cezuan” and “Antimira” were drawn from the repertoire of the Taganka Theater, enormous lines lined up at the Melpomene Church on Suvorov Square, 2, no less visited productions - “My poor Marat "And" Uncle Vanya ", who later followed with constant success for many years.
Epochs have changed - names have changed
So, in different years the collective was called differently - it was the theater of the Red Army until 1946, then, until 1991, in the name the term “Red” was changed to “Soviet”. In 1951, the addition was made - “central” (the theater was abbreviated as CTKA), and in 1975 the “Moscow Academic” theater was added to raise the status of the theater. Nowadays, after 1993, its full name sounds like this - the Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army.
Features
A characteristic feature of this temple of Melpomene is that the actors of the theater are credited with a certain time of work in it as a service in the army. The property of the theater is its building, which was built specifically for him. The project was led by a wonderful architect Karo Semenovich Alabyan (together with V. N. Simbirtsev), who later became the chief architect of Moscow. Marriage to L.V. Tselikovskaya connects him to the theater . K. Alabyan creates a unique, unprecedented project of a theater building. Built in the shape of a five-pointed star, the future Theater of the Soviet Army had at its disposal two halls - a large one, for 1800 seats, and a small one located above it, capable of accommodating 500 spectators. He was thought of as a rehearsal, but began to be used as a small stage.
Monument Theater
Of course, the construction was indicative and ambitious (a monument building was created, symbolizing the power of the Red Army) - the theater became the largest stage venue in Europe. Everything was new in it - the form of the stage and the hall, the number of dressing rooms and utility rooms, the engine room under the stage was equipped with the latest mechanisms. The pearl of the capital was the building itself, which housed the Theater of the Soviet Army. How to get to it, has become one of the main issues for visitors. Started in 1934, construction was completed by 1940, and, according to experts, laid the foundation for the Stalinist Empire, of which the building is certainly a masterpiece. The theater decorates Suvorov Square and is a landmark of the capital.
Accurate Repertoire
The Theater of the Soviet Army began its creative activity with the play “K.V.Zh.D.” according to the script of S. Alimov, devoted to events in the east of the country, on the railway leading to China. The performance was staged by Meyerhold’s pupil, V. Fedorov, and his premiere took place, as indicated above, on February 6, 1930. This date was the birthday of the new Moscow theater, the performances of which until 1934, the year of the opening of the grandiose stage on Suvorov Square, house number 2, were in the hall of the house of the Red Army. 300 performances were created on the stage of the theater, and it never had a narrow repertoire. Along with the military theme, there was always a peaceful one - foreign and domestic classics were put on with great success. The play “Dance Teacher” Lope de Vega, with the leading theater legend Zeldin, brought such fame and popularity to the collective that based on the work of the Spanish classic, a film of the same name was created with the same cast of actors. The performance, staged in 1946, went on the stage of the theater 1900 times. Only the play “Once upon a time” by A. Gladkov, which withstood 1,200 shows, can be compared with him. These productions are present in the theater's repertoire now.
Great helmsmen
Headed the Theater of the Soviet Army (address: Moscow, Suvorovskaya Square, No. 1 - the building of the Frunze Central House of Artists) in the first years of its existence, Vladimir Meskheteli. He managed to attract the legendary Yuri Zavadsky to the post of artistic director. But the latter did not serve in this post for long. The heyday of the theater is inextricably linked with the names of the father and son of the Popovs, who led the collective - the senior Alexei Dmitrievich - from 1934 to 1958, the youngest, Andrei Alekseevich (legend of the cinema and theater of Soviet Russia), will lead the troupe in 1963. He will be replaced in the 80s by a student Boris Afanasyevich Morozov, who, after a brilliant career as a director of this theater, will leave him. He will return to this post at the invitation of theater director Viktor Yakimov in 1995. In this position, combining it with teaching, Professor Boris Morozov is still today. The best, iconic performances of the theater throughout its activity include brilliant performances, which were carried out under the direction of these very main directors - A. D. Popov, A. A. Popov and Yu. A. Morozov. The theater’s performances have been repeatedly awarded theater awards, including Crystal Turandot.
Theater Location
Trying to see the legendary performances, Muscovites and guests visit the former theater of the Soviet Army, the address of which is known to absolutely everyone. On one of the most famous squares of Moscow, located in the Central district of the capital, square to them. Suvorov, the legendary commander, located both the building of the army theater and the building of the army house, located in the old Saltykov estate, which is an architectural monument of the XVIII century. Performances took place in it until 1934. Another building located on this square is the Slavyanka Hotel. Everything here reminds of the military glory of Russia. Having an idea of where the legendary Theater of the Soviet Army is located, how to get to it is easy to find out. The nearest metro station with access to Suvorovskaya Square is Dostoevskaya.
Great team
The troupe of the legendary theater has always been his pride. For the most part, it was replenished at the expense of graduates of the school, which the Theater of the Soviet Army had with it. Actors sought to stay within the walls of alma mater. Actually, each troupe of the popular metropolitan theater has an excellent cast - once there are more, once less. The institution is losing popularity, and the color of the cast is also losing. Surnames of stars of the first magnitude from the very first day decorated the posters of the theater. List only folk artists and favorites of the public is not possible. And now everyone knows the names of the leading actors, even those who have never been to the capital and never attended the Theater of the Soviet Army. Moscow has always rightfully been proud of this temple of art.