Maly Theater on Ordynka: past and present

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

Russian culture is famous for its actors, directors, authors. The pride of theatrical art is the Maly Theater on Ordynka, which also has a rich history.

Birth of theater

Empress Ekaterina Petrovna, who loved theatrical art so much, in 1756 issued a decree, thanks to which a Russian theater was established in St. Petersburg. At the same time, a theater was opened in Moscow, the actors of which were students. Already in 1759, the public Russian theater created in Moscow was transferred to the jurisdiction of Moscow University. It was managed by the director of the university, playwright, poet Kheraskov. The existence of the institution was short-lived, but it was on its basis that a permanent Moscow acting troupe was later formed.

The theater of the late 18th and early 19th centuries

For several decades, the Moscow troupe, which included actors, singers, dancers, musicians, existed thanks to the support of private entrepreneurs. M. E. Medox was the entrepreneur longer than others. In 1780, he built a large theater called Petrovsky, which is located on Petrovsky Square. Since 1806, the entire troupe began to existat public expense, it was included in the system of imperial theaters. Shortly before this moment, a fire broke out in the Petrovsky Theater, the troupe began to work either in Pashkov's house, which was adapted for a theater, then at the Arbat Gate, then on Znamenka in Apraksin's house. Only in the season of 1824-1825 did the imperial troupe find its permanent home - the name of which is the Maly Theater. The house of the merchant Vargin was rebuilt by the architect Beauvais, and the first performance took place here on October 14.

History

In 1914, the architect Spirin created a project according to which the Kino-Palace on Bolshaya Ordynka was rebuilt into the Struysky Theater. This building was mostly visited by the population of Zamoskvorechye. Soon it was transformed into the Theater of Miniatures. After the revolution of 1917, the theater was nationalized by the Bolsheviks. A variety of troupes performed on the stage, which presented performances of many directions. In 1922, the theater of the Zamoskvoretsky Soviet was formed here. Three years later, he received the name of the Moscow Theater of the Leningrad City Council. Only in 1943, during the war, a branch of the Maly Theater on Ordynka was formed here. The first performance took place on January 1, 1944 based on Ostrovsky's play "In a Busy Place". The first premiere took place on January 25, 1944, it was the play "Engineer Sergeev".

Name of the theater

History shows that the Maly Theater on Ordynka became so called solely because of its size. The building was small compared to the neighboring Bolshoi Theatre, which was intended for opera and ballet performances. Soonthe name "Small", like "Big", turned into a proper name. Now these names all over the world sound exactly in Russian. The repertoire of the Maly Theater on Ordynka consisted of performances based on the works of the great Russian classics: Pushkin, Gogol, Griboedov, Turgenev, Ostrovsky. Also, the audience was presented with productions based on Shakespeare and Schiller. Of all foreign authors, they were given the greatest preference. Along with serious performances, the stage of the Maly Theater on Ordynka lured the audience with a light repertoire, these were melodramas, vaudevilles.

The theater during the war

During World War II, the Maly Theater on Ordynka took an active part in the fight against the Nazi invaders. The theater troupe contributed to the great victory. Artists were part of the front-line brigades, performed in front of soldiers in hospitals, military units. In 1943, the Front Branch was even formed. The team was given one task - the artistic service of the fighters of the Soviet Army. In total, the Maly Theater and its Front Branch gave more than 2,700 concerts and performances. All the funds accumulated by the team were directed to the construction of a squadron of aircraft, which was transferred to the army in the field. In 1944-1945, this squadron successfully defeated the Nazis in the skies of East Prussia.

Maly theater of our time

Someone will find it mystical that the theater staff believes that a modest, austere buildingretains the aura of old, long gone great artists. Spirits protect and preserve the theater in the most difficult times. They saved it in the days of post-revolutionary lawlessness at the beginning of the 20th century, helped not to disappear in the dashing war years. Despite the rapid changes in life, crises, instability, the theater always exists.

In 1995, the Maly Theater on Ordynka opened a stage after repairs. Performances to this day are on both stages. To date, the troupe's repertoire is still rich in classical works. The basis is Ostrovsky's plays. The Maly troupe includes famous folk artists Bystritskaya, Kayurov, Korshunov, Martsevich, Muravyova, Klyuev, Nevzorov, Bochkarev, Klyukvin, Potapov and many others. More than a hundred artists are involved in the troupe. In general, the Maly Theater has more than 700 people. The theater has its own orchestra, where musicians of the highest class work. The troupe often gives performances in other countries and cities. The tour geography includes such countries as Finland, Italy, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Mongolia and many others. By decree of the President of Russia, the Maly Theater received the status of a national treasure.