The Maly Drama Theater (Theater of Europe) of St. Petersburg is considered one of the best drama theaters both in the Russian Federation and in Europe.
Its history is extraordinary, the artistic director and the cast of the theater are brilliantly talented, and the repertoire is interesting, diverse, and deep.
About this in our article.
Description
The European Theater in St. Petersburg represents in its person the Russian theater school in other countries of the world. And at the same time, in his own country is an example of world theater art.
He is known in Europe and America for his constant tours, as well as a participant in international theater festivals and competitions. The theater is recognized and welcomed by many scenes of the world.
All this thanks to the excellent work of art directors (from 2002 to the present time - Lev Dodin), the main director, and the theater's acting troupe.
The repertoire of the Maly Drama Theater of Europe (St. Petersburg) has a diverse number of productions. These are the works of Russian playwright writers (Chekhov, Dostoevsky and others), and foreign ones (Shakespeare, Schiller, O'Casey, Yukio Misima).
The theater has two stages:
- Big (in the repertoire of which are productions of famous classics).
- Small, or Chamber (where the performances of lesser-known playwrights are staged, but also very deep and powerful in nature).
Along with eminent actors, young, but promising and talented performers play in the troupe of the theater: Elizaveta Boyarskaya, Danila Kozlovsky and others. All of them are students of the national artist of Russia Lev Dodin.
Theater History
The theater was founded in the forties of the last century in Leningrad.
Without a permanent program, their own building for rehearsals and performances, the small theater troupe of the Drama Theater staged brilliant performances in small towns and villages of the Leningrad Region, as well as on the front stage.
In the early 50s, the theater was finally allocated a permanent building - a house on 18 Rubinstein Street.
The real flourishing of the Maly Drama Theater of Europe (St. Petersburg) took place in 1973, when Yefim Padve became the main director.
At this time were delivered:
- "Incident".
- "Fiesta".
- “Twenty minutes with an angel” and others.
Yefim Padwe reflected in his performances the depth and serious drama, and this was noticeable in his every work.
He also attracted young directors to the theater. So, once there appeared a future chief director and artistic director - Lev Dodin.
In the early 70s, Lev Dodin staged the play "The Robbers" (K. Chapek), which brought him the first success and attention from theater critics.
The following performances appeared:
- “Live and remember”;
- "Appointment";
- "Home" and others.
Dodin draws attention in his stage works with the individuality of the productions and the novelty of the language.
In the late 80s, the Theater of Europe (St. Petersburg) carried out its first grand international tour (performing on the stages of theaters in Great Britain, France and other countries of the world).
And thanks to his active participation in the theatrical life of the world, excellent productions in 1998, the theater was given European status, which only three theaters of the world have (Odeon in France and Piccolo in Italy).
By the way, in addition to creative plans for 2018, the theater team has a goal to play on stage in a new room, which is specially built for the Maly Theater of Europe - 7 Zvenigorodskaya Street, in St. Petersburg.
A few words about the artistic director
Lev Dodin began his theatrical career at the age of 13. And in 1966 he graduated from the Theater Institute in Leningrad and made his debut as the director of the television show "First Love".
Then followed: work in the Youth Theater, staging of author’s performances, “free swimming” with staging of performances in many theaters.
And in 1974, the fruitful cooperation of Lev Dodin with the Maly Theater of Europe in St. Petersburg begins (it was thanks to him that he was awarded the title "Theater of Europe" already in 1998).
After the productions of "Razboniki" and "House" they begin to talk about him in theatrical circles as a brilliantly talented director.
He currently leads the theater and is its main artistic director, as well as an honorary member of the General Assembly of the Union of European Theaters.
The creative work of Lev Dodin in the theater field across the country and the world was marked by a huge number of awards and prizes. Including awarded the highest European theater prize.
In addition, he is an Honorary Doctor of the Humanities University (St. Petersburg), professor and head of the department of directing at the Academy of Theater Arts (St. Petersburg).
Theater repertoire
The following performances are held on the main stage of the theater:
- “Brothers and Sisters” (version 2015).
- "The Cherry Orchard".
- "Demons."
- "Life and Fate"
- "Uncle Ivan".
- "Fear. Love. Despair".
- "Teenager".
- "Three sisters".
- "Winter's Tale" and others.
The following performances are held on the chamber stage:
- "Babylon."
- "Shadow of the shooter."
- "Inn" Eternity. "
- "Cleansing."
- "All days, all nights."
- "Blue light" and others.
Address
The Maly Drama Theater of Europe is located at: St. Petersburg, Rubinshteina street, 18.
How to get there:
- Metro Dostoevskaya, Mayakovskaya, Uprising Square, Vladimirskaya.
- Trolleybus No. 1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 22, stop "Liteiny prospect".
- Trolleybus No. 3, 8, 15, Nevsky Prospekt stop.
- Bus number 3, 7, 22, 24, 27, 181, 191, stop "Liteiny prospect".