Afanasyev's Puppet Theater: history of creation and repertoire

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

Kirov Puppet Theatre. Afanasiev is one of the oldest and most famous theaters in Russia. In June 1935, its creative staff was formed, focused on the children's audience. The Afanasiev Theater began to actively carry out serious tasks in the development of the culture of the city and the region. It has a museum that stores information about the first artists, such as G. N. Osokina, A. P. Kubertskaya, T. I. Nikolskaya, A. N. Kudryavtseva. There are also photographs of past performances, small newspaper articles about the appearance of the puppet theater.

Test pen

The first performance put on by the puppeteers was far from perfect. It was a new experience of an unknown art form. In this regard, it was decided to open special courses in the theater building, which taught acting skills to future puppeteers.

Already in the fall, the acting troupe declared itself as a professional and self-sufficient team. Experienced director Sergei Voronetsky instilled confidence in the puppeteers. Under his leadership, the Afanasiev Puppet Theater staged the youngto the audience the performances "Bear the Fisherman", "Martha the Pilot" and "Bald Man".

After these premieres, the cultural institution acquires the status of an independent theater. This unique temple of Melpomene continues to delight its audience with high-quality performances, now not only young, but also adult. Two years later, in 1939, a new performance was staged - "Trifling Affairs" based on the comedy by G. Gradov.

War years

During the Great Patriotic War, Sergei Voronetsky dies. The famous actor and brilliant director Anatoly Afanasiev became the new head of the theater. Subsequently, in 2009, the theater was named after him.

During the war years, the Afanasyev Theater continued its activities, despite the fact that many actors went to the front, state support was removed, and the only transport was requisitioned for the needs of front-line soldiers. Artists traveled all over the region with their performances. They showed old performances, staged new ones, thereby supporting the morale and patriotism of front-line soldiers, the military and the population. The actors staged propaganda productions, and also performed with concert programs in hospitals, recruiting centers, cultural centers and military units throughout the region.

At this time, the Bolshoi Drama Theater together with Yevgeny Schwartz, a brilliant playwright and director, offer a creative reunion to the Afanasyev Theater. After a year of collaboration with Schwartz, A. Afanasyev is staging a new production based on his play - the play Little Red Riding Hood.

First private space

In the post-war period, the Afanasyev Theater received premises, which became its first own property. It was a solemn event for every actor-puppeteer. This building had a large auditorium, a spacious hall and, most importantly, workshops for making puppets.

Success for adult performances

A year later, the play "Devil's Mill", staged by Afanasiev based on the comedy by I. Stock, brought a stunning success. Inspired theater actors continue to put on plays designed for adult audiences, such as The Divine Comedy, The Shelter, Sylvester's Treasure, The Charming Galatea, Everything in an Adult Way, Up to the Third Cocks and many others.

For 25 years, the Afanasyev Kirov Theater has been closely associated with the name of Professor of the Leningrad Theater Institute, Honored Cultural Worker M. M. Korolev. His students also collaborated with the theater, among whom were N. Borovikov, I. Ignatiev, Ya. Mer.

At that time, Vadim Anatolyevich Afanasyev, the son of Anatoly Afanasyev, took the place of the head. His brilliant acting work and unique performances were duly appreciated by the public and critics.

A house where fairy tales light up

In 1996, a significant event took place in the life of the puppet theater. So, at this time, the memoirs of the 1950s of the Kirov puppeteer were published. In the same year, an interesting book was published called "The House Where Fairy Tales Light Up." She talks about the actorspuppeteers who stood at the origins of the foundation of the theater, about those who for two decades created a real fairy tale in the world of puppets. The Afanasyev Theater is still famous for its successful productions of its repertoire.

Starting from 2008, there have been changes in the composition of the theater management. The artistic director at that time was V. G. Pyregov, Yu. A. Evdokimov became the main director of the theater. In 2013, Vasily Pyregov was replaced by Viktor Bazhenov.

Own building

In 2009, a joyful and long-awaited event took place in the history of the theater: the construction of the theater's own building was completed. To date, the theater has two auditoriums, a modern stage with the latest lighting and sound equipment, and production workshops.

In 2010, the Kirov Puppet Theater celebrated its 75th anniversary. It was a real feast for both the directors and the cast, and for the audience. For 75 years, the theater has delighted both children and adults with its characters, impeccable acting and talent.

Traveling theater

The international theater project began in 2011. It was a moving puppet festival "The Ark", which staged performances by ten theaters from Russian cities and around the world. His performances were also staged at the Kirov Puppet Theatre.

The repertoire for the adult population was expanding more and more actively, in connection with this, aa unique production of "Ward No. 9" based on the play by Anton Chekhov. This work surprised and delighted not only the public, but also contemporary critics. In 2012, the production was nominated for the Golden Mask Award, which is the highest award for acting work.

The Kirov Puppet Theater has in its repertoire about 40 different performances, which were staged based on the works of domestic and foreign playwrights. Performances are designed for both adults and the smallest audience. The puppet museum and the theatre's winter garden impress with exhibitions of puppets made in different years and with their expositions that convey a vivid and rich history of the development of a creative team of puppeteers.

By the way, it is worth knowing that the theater of Sergei Afanasiev has nothing to do with the described cultural institution. People who are far from the art of Melpomene, focusing on the name of the leader, think that this is one and the same theater. But that's not the case at all. The Novosibirsk City Drama Theater is named after Sergei Afanasyev.