Soviet Army Theater: address, how to get there

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The Theater of the Soviet Army occupies its own special niche among other Moscow temples of Melpomene. Firstly, because this is the first departmental theater of the Ministry of Defense. And although later several similar ones were created on its model throughout the country (mainly in the capitals of military districts), it remains the first and the capital.

Birth of theater

Throughout its history, and the theater received its first spectators on February 6, 1930 (it was created on the basis of several propaganda teams that had been working since 1929), it, and this is understandable, was renamed more than once. But the older generation will always remember it as the Theater of the Soviet Army.

Because it was during these years that he flourished, and he never got lost against the background of "fashionable" bands. And even at a time when huge queues lined up for tickets for the performances “The Good Man from Sezuan” and “Antimira” from the repertoire of the Taganka Theater, in the temple of Melpomene on Suvorovskaya Square, house 2, no less attended performances were staged - “My poor Marat”and“Uncle Vanya”, which then followed with constant success for many years.

Era changed -names changed

So, in different years the collective was called differently - it was the theater of the Red Army until 1946, then, until 1991, the term "Red" in the name changed to "Soviet". In 1951, an addition was made - “central” (abbreviated as the theater became known as TsTKA), and in 1975 another “Moscow academic” was added, which raised the status of the theater. Nowadays, after 1993, its full name is the Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army.

Features

A characteristic feature of this temple of Melpomene is that the actors of the theater for a certain time of work in it are credited as military service. The property of the theater is its building, which was built specifically for it. The project was led by the remarkable architect Karo Semenovich Alabyan (together with V. N. Simbirtsev), who later became the chief architect of Moscow. His marriage to L. V. Tselikovskaya also connects him with 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, with 1800 seats, and a small one located above it, capable of accommodating 500 spectators. It was conceived as a rehearsal, but began to be used as a small stage.

Monument Theater

Of course, the construction was demonstrative and ambitious (a monumental building was created, symbolizing the power of the Red Army) - the theater became the largest stage venue in Europe. It containedeverything is new - the shape 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 questions for visitors. Started in 1934, construction was completed by 1940, and, according to experts, marked the beginning of the Stalinist Empire style, of which the building is certainly a masterpiece. The theater adorns Suvorovskaya Square and is a landmark of the capital.

Fine repertoire

The Theater of the Soviet Army began its creative activity with the play "K. V. Zh. D." according to the scenario of S. Alimov, dedicated to the events in the east of the country, on the railway leading to China. The performance was staged by Meyerhold's student, V. Fedorov, its premiere took place, as mentioned above, on February 6, 1930. This date was the birthday of the new Moscow theater, whose performances until 1934, the year the grandiose stage was opened on Suvorovskaya Square, house No. 2, went on in the hall of the Red Army house. 300 performances were created on the stages of the theater, and it never had a narrow repertoire. Along with the military theme, there was always a peaceful theme - foreign and domestic classics were staged with great success. The play "The Dance Teacher" by Lope de Vega, with the theater legend Zeldin in the title role, brought such fame and popularity to the team that, based on the work of the Spanish classic, a film of the same name was created with the same cast. The performance, staged in 1946, went on the stage of the theater 1900 times. Only A. Gladkov's play "A long time ago" can be compared with it, which has withstood 1200 shows. These performances are present in the theater repertoire even now.

Great pilots

Headed the Theater of the Soviet Army (address: Moscow, Suvorovskaya Square, No. 1 - the building of the Frunze Central House of Arts) in the first years of its existence, Vladimir Meskheteli. He managed to attract the legendary Yuri Zavadsky to the position of artistic director. But the latter did not serve long in this post. The heyday of the theater is inextricably linked with the names of the father and son Popovs, who led the team - the elder Alexei Dmitrievich - from 1934 to 1958, the younger, Andrei Alekseevich (a legend of cinema and theater in Soviet Russia), will lead the troupe in 1963. He will be replaced in the 80s by his student Boris Afanasyevich Morozov, who, after a brilliant career as the chief director of this theater, will leave him. He will return to this post at the invitation of the theater director Viktor Yakimov in 1995. In this position, combining it with teaching, Professor Boris Morozov is still in this position. The best, iconic performances of the theater throughout its entire activity include brilliant productions that were carried out under the direction of these main directors - A. D. Popov, A. A. Popov and Yu. A Morozov. The theatre's productions have been repeatedly awarded theatrical awards, including "Crystal Turandot".

Location of the theater

Eager 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 in Moscow, located in the Central District of the capital, Ploshchad im. Suvorov, the legendary commander, there are both the building of the army theater and the building of the army house, located in the old S altykov estate, which is an architectural monument of the 18th century. Performances were held there 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, it will not be difficult to find out. The nearest metro station with access to Suvorovskaya Square is Dostoevskaya.

Wonderful team

The troupe of the legendary theater has always been his pride. For the most part, it was replenished by graduates of the school, which the Theater of the Soviet Army had with it. Actors sought to stay within the walls of the alma mater. Actually, each troupe of the popular metropolitan theater has an excellent cast of actors - sometimes there are more of them, sometimes less. The institution is losing popularity, and the color of the cast is also losing. The names of stars of the first magnitude from the very first day adorned the posters of the theater. It is not possible to list only folk artists and favorites of the public. And now everyone knows the names of the leading actors, even those who have never been to the capital and have never visited the Theater of the Soviet Army. Moscow has always been rightfully proud of this temple of art.