In the middle reaches of the great Russian Volga River, Mother Volga is an autonomous territory called Mari El (republic). Yoshkar-Ola is its capital. Here is a magnificent republican-level puppet theater, known far beyond the borders of the region.
Theater History
In early 1942, the main director of the Yoshkar-Ola Drama Theater, Georgy Kryzhitsky, put forward an interesting idea: to play mini-scenes with dolls during the intermission. The idea turned out to be so successful that in May a separate troupe of actors was formed, which made the art of puppetry the meaning of their life. So in Yoshkar-Ola was born the Republican Puppet Theater. At that time, it was directed by the director Ilisavsky Vasily Ivanovich.
Initially, the newly-minted puppeteers did not have their own scene. They traveled to local kindergartens, schools, often traveled outside the city. Life on wheels ended only in 1989, when the puppet theater in Yoshkar-Ola received its own building on the coast of Malaya Kokshagi.
Modernity
In 2010, with the support of LUKOIL, the construction of a new building began, in which it was planned to relocate the Yoshkar-Ola puppet theater. In 2014, the work was completed, and the puppeteers, together with the props, moved to a beautiful fairytale castle with turrets, battlements, Gothic windows and spiers on high domes.
The room itself is very spacious, the interior is made in warm colors - peach, soft lime and apricot. The main focus of the theater remains a large auditorium, designed for 270 people, equipped with modern equipment for the installation of the most complex scenery, harmonious lighting and sound solutions. Visitors are also attracted by a museum with interesting exhibits, and during the intermission - a cafe with a wonderful children's menu.
Far beyond the borders of the republic, a fabulous puppet theater is known. Yoshkar-Ola is rightfully proud of this institution. His work has won many awards and prizes.
Repertoire
The theater season lasts from September 1 to June 30. Performances are held in Mari and Russian. The puppeteers' luggage has many productions based on the works of children's classics: Andersen, the brothers Grimm, Perrot, Pushkin, Tolstoy, Marshak, Chukovsky and Uspensky. Over the years, more than 45 performances were staged by the puppet theater in Yoshkar-Ola. The poster shows his rich repertoire:
- "Aibolit";
- "Beech";
- "Winnie the Pooh";
- "Wild swan";
- "Kitten in the snow";
- "Ant Wedding";
- "Frost";
- "The Adventures of Pig Funtika";
- "Sazka about Emelya";
- "Princess Frog";
- The Nutcracker and many others.
Also, the Yoshkar-Ola Puppet Theater puts on adult performances:
- "Poor Akaki";
- "Prosorov. Epitaph";
- "Pannochka";
- "Butterfly";
- "The beautiful is far away";
- "Jacques and his servant, or How to become an Ogre."
Each performance resonates in the hearts of the audience. The best reward for the team is warm applause and sincere love of the townspeople.
Actors
The theater team is very close-knit. Talented puppeteers work here:
- Nina Golovanova.
- Alexey Timirashev.
- Elvira Lisitsina.
- Dmitry Repyev.
- Galina Kovaleva.
- Sergey Pechennikov.
- Elizabeth Strelnikova.
- Saule Etlis.
- Maxim Vershinin.
- Anna Derkach and others.
But spectacular performances are made not only by the artists' workshop, but also by the professionalism of the remaining members of the troupe: directors, artists, directors, screenwriters, lighting artists, sound technicians, decorators. Joint efforts of the whole team, love for their audience and dedication are the main components of success on stage.
How to get to the theater in the Mari El Republic?
Yoshkar-Ola is famous for its puppet theater. The fairytale castle is located on Tsargradsky Avenue, Building 35. This is the city center. You can get here by personal or public transport. Trolleybuses No. 2, 8, minibuses No. 18, 34, 50 go in this direction. Other local attractions are also nearby: Patriarch's Square, the Museum of the History of the City, the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, the Resurrection Church.
The theater is open from Wednesday to Friday from 11:00 to 18:00, and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 to 15:00. The current repertoire can be found at the ticket office or on the poster.
Now you know what it is, where it is and how the puppet theater in Yoshkar-Ola works. But it’s better to see once than hear a hundred times. Be sure to take the time to visit the marvelous fairytale castle and enjoy a magnificent performance.