Vladimir Drama Theater is one of the oldest in the country. It was founded in 1848. Many stars of Russian theaters performed on its stage, and also at one time it served as a stage for such famous actors of the pre-revolutionary times as Pravdin, Lensky, Fedotova and others. The theater is located in the city of Vladimir, at the address: st. Dvoryanskaya, house 4.
History of the theater
The basis of the future drama theater in Vladimir was a small troupe, which consisted of the best graduates of theater schools in Russia. The idea of creating a troupe belonged to the wife of Mr. Ogarev, the leader of the local nobility. Funds for the creation of the Melpomene temple were raised by wealthy residents of the city. The young theater quickly gained popularity and soon after its creation began touring, performing in many cities, including the capital. In 1934, he was given the name of Lunacharsky. During the Great Patriotic War, the theater was suspended. Actors worked at the front as part of concert teams, received many thanks from the front-line soldiers. In 1971, the Vladimir Drama Theater moved to a new building, unusual for the time, built of glass and concrete. The authors of the project of this unique building became laureates of the State Prize. In 1998, on the 150th anniversary of its founding, given the high achievements in stage art, the theater received the title of academic. It is located at the Golden Gate. Vladimir , as you know, is not only the center of theatrical art, but also a city with unique architectural monuments.
Famous productions of the Vladimir Drama Theater
Before the war, theater productions were mainly on revolutionary topics. Already in the 50-60s, having formed a stronger troupe, the institution was able to renew its repertoire, making it more meaningful. Several of his most powerful productions can be noted:
- The performances of the director V. Tishchenko “The Old Man” and “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” in the 70s were awarded diplomas of republican shows.
- In the 70-80s, one can note such works as “The Good Man from Cezuan” directed by Y. Pogrebnichko, “Dear Friend” directed by V. Pazi, “Schweik, Schweik, Schweik”, “Vasilisa Melentyevna” directed by M Moreido and a number of others. All of them were praised by theater critics.
- In the 90s such performances were remembered as “Ivan - Don't Be a Fool” (1993), “Once Upon a Time” (1995), “Comedy about the Russian Nobleman Froly Skabeev” (1998). The Vladimir Drama Theater is famous for its production of The Historical Fresco, directed by A. A. Burkov, based on the trilogy of A. K. Tolstoy's “Smoot”. This performance has been the hallmark of the theater for the whole decade.
- In 2005, the theater became famous for its production of the play “Ballad of a Soldier”.
- In 2017, a musical comedy in two acts of the Diva was presented to the audience.
Theater legends
The theaters of Vladimir are the center of the cultural life of the regional city. The championship here rightfully belongs to the Drama Theater. Actors played here, whose names became legends in the world of theatrical art:
- Yelikanida Mirskaya, a stricken artist of the RSFSR, metropolitan critics called the best Vassa Zheleznova of all played on the stages of the national theater in the 30s.
- Denisova Olga Vladimirovna, Honored Artist of the RSFSR, played more than a hundred roles in the theater, having worked in it for over 30 years. One of her best works is rightfully considered the role of Katharina in Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew."
- Honored Artist of the RSFSR Sergey Vladimirovich Yumatov was the first performer of the role of Grand Duke Andrei in the play “Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky”, directed by Rurik Nagornichnykh. The Vladimir Drama Theater opened its season in 1971 in the new building with the first run of the show.
- In the postwar years, the great Russian actor Evgeny Evstigneev began working here. Here he gave the viewer his talent for four seasons.
Forum - Festival of festivals
For many years, the Vladimir Regional Academic Drama Theater has been the venue for the All-Russian Theater Forum "At the Golden Gate". This is a unique and distinctive festival of theatrical art, for the main prize of which - the Monomakh crystal hat - the best theaters of Russia are fighting. Within the framework of the festival, scientific events are also held at which the best theater experts of the country give lectures and conduct master classes. In recent years, actors from theaters of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod and many others have visited the forum.
Conclusion
Being an adherent of the Russian psychological theater throughout its history, the Vladimir Drama Theater does not reject new theatrical trends, but seeks to take all the best out of it to enrich its traditions with new ideas. Therefore, now the level of the institution allows him to solve any creative problems. In 2017, he completed his 168th creative season. The Drama Theater, like other theaters in Vladimir, is always ready to give its work to a grateful audience.