Theatrical art gives the viewer the opportunity to live the same story in different ways. Tickets for the play open the veil to a whole world where comedy and tragedy can unfold. The theater genre has no limits: there will always be performances that will find a lively response in the hearts:
- wise life of the elderly;
- middle-aged adults;
- yesterday's graduates;
- boys and girls;
- adolescents and children.
It is pleasant to realize that more and more modern performances attract young people. Gone are the days when schoolchildren and students were sent to the theater on a voluntary basis. Now in their midst a visit to the play is considered a pleasant and interesting activity.
The first independent theater in Belarus
Gomel residents owe the opening of the city youth theater to their fellow countryman and successful entrepreneur Grigory Figlin. The debut performance "Travelers in the Night" based on the play by S. Stratiev took place on the founder's birthday - October 13, 1992. The first artistic director of the theater was the director Yakov Natapov. So the “Independent” theater appeared in Belarus.
Its cast was small: it was necessary to invite actors from others. For example, in the play "Don Juan 2050" the main role was played by Valery Losovsky. Despite this, the Independent’s repertoire was replenished with several interesting productions.
Unfortunately, after 3 years, the young theater, under tragic circumstances, lost its benefactor. The care of him was continued by G. Figlin's sister, Galina Shofman. In 1998, a lack of funds to continue theatrical activities became apparent. Artists appealed to the local administration for financial assistance. As a result, the theater received the status of a state and was reorganized into the Gomel City Experimental Youth Theater Studio. This ended his independent story page.
The history of the theater from 1998 to 2008
The pride of the city of Gomel, the youth theater, from the moment of its foundation has been guided by non-standard productions based on intellectual modern works. Thanks to this approach, the performances differ:
- personality;
- own style;
- focus on the sensual play of actors, rather than large-scale scenery and decoration.
Non-trivial productions received many awards and fell in love with the viewer. Located in the center of Gomel, the youth theater takes into account the diversity of tastes and invites both to deep psychological plays and children's fairy tales. Up to 6 premieres appear on its stage annually.
In 2008, the success was marked by the administration of Gomel - the youth theater earned a victory in the nomination "The best theater and entertainment institution." This perfectly reflects the fact that over the 16 years of its existence, the former "Independent" has gained respect and fame. Together with the honorary title was renamed the "Gomel City Youth Theater".
The latest history of "Youth"
Thanks to the arrival of the artistic director Yuri Leonidovich Wutto, the performances of Molodezhki sounded in a new way. The repertoire has significantly expanded due to the use of works by Belarusian authors.
The artists celebrated the 20th anniversary of the theatrical activity with a holiday skit, on which a long-standing problem was raised - Molodezhka still does not have its own premises, all productions take place on a rented stage.
Scandalous dismissal of the theater director
In 2016, there were regular personnel changes. The director of the Gomel youth theater, Zoya Parkhomchuk, managed to work in this position for only 5 months, followed by a scandalous dismissal from the filing of the ideological department of the city executive committee.
Injustice outraged the artists: after the leader, 4 actors left, including the leading stage master, who was involved in 80% of the productions, and a provocative recording appeared on the theater's website.
There were no objective reasons for dismissing the new director. Under her leadership, a wonderful play “Where Love Retreats” appeared, which was very well received by the viewer, and tickets for the performance were sold out with lightning speed. It is worth noting that the premiere was preceded by a conflict with local officials over the poster.
Positive changes have also been outlined in the organization of the living conditions of the artists:
- the construction of toilets for theater workers is underway;
- rehearsal room is completed;
- plans were to open an acting studio.
I would like to believe that the tandem that existed for 17 years: the Gomel city administration and the youth theater will be able to find a compromise that will suit both sides, and in the near future new interesting productions will appear on the city stage.