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.
Theater birth
Empress Ekaterina Petrovna, who loved theater art so much, issued a decree in 1756, 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 Moscow University. It was managed by the director of the university, playwright, poet Heraskov. The existence of the institution was short-lived, but it was on its basis that a permanent Moscow acting troupe was later formed.
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. Longer than the other entrepreneur was M.E. Medox. In 1780, he built a large theater called Petrovsky, which is located on Petrovsky Square. Since 1806, the entire troupe began to exist at 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 working in the Pashkov house, which was adapted for the theater, then at the Arbat Gate, then at Znamenka in the Apraksin house. Only in the season of 1824-1825 the imperial troupe found its permanent home - the name of which is the Maly Theater. The house of the merchant Vargin was rebuilt by the architect Beauvais , here on October 14 the first performance took place.
History
In 1914, the architect Spirin created a project according to which Kino-Palace on Bolshaya Ordynka was rebuilt into the Struisky Theater. This building was mostly visited by the population of Zamoskvorechye. Soon he was transformed into the Theater of Miniatures. After the 1917 revolution, the theater was nationalized by the Bolsheviks. A variety of troupes performed on stage, representing performances of many directions. In 1922, the Zamoskvoretsky Council Theater 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 “On a Lively Place”. The first premiere took place on January 25, 1944, it was the play "Engineer Sergeev."
Theater Name
From history it is clear that the Maly Theater on Ordynka became so called solely because of its size. The building was small in comparison with the neighboring Bolshoi Theater, which was intended for opera and ballet performances. Soon the name “Small”, like “Big”, turned into a proper name. Now these names all over the world sound in Russian. The repertoire of the Maly Theater on Ordynka consisted of performances staged based on the works of the great Russian classics: Pushkin, Gogol, Griboedov, Turgenev, Ostrovsky. Also, the viewer was presented with performances by 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 attracted the audience with a light repertoire, these were melodramas, vaudeville.
Theater during the war
During the Second World War, the Small Theater on Ordynka took an active part in the struggle against the fascist invaders. The theater troupe contributed to the great victory. The artists entered the front-line brigades, spoke to the soldiers in hospitals, military units. In 1943, the Front Branch was even formed. The team was assigned one task - the art service of the soldiers of the Soviet Army. In total, the Maly Theater and its Front Branch gave more than 2700 concerts and performances. All funds accumulated by the team were used to build a squadron of aircraft, which was transferred to the army. In 1944-1945, this squadron successfully smashed the Nazis in the skies of East Prussia.
Small theater of our time
It will seem mystical to someone that the theater team believes that the modest, rigorous building preserves 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, and helped to not disappear during the dashing war years. Despite the rapid changes in life, crises, instability, the theater always exists.
In 1995, the Maly Theater on Ordynka opened the stage after repair. 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 troupe of Maly includes well-known folk artists Bystritskaya, Kayurov, Korshunov, Martsevich, Muravyev, Klyuev, Nevzorov, Bochkarev, Klyukvin, Potapov and many others. The troupe involved more than a hundred artists. 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. Touring geography includes countries such 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.