The Durov Beast Theater, the history of which is described in this article, is one of the most unusual in the world. There has not been and still is not in any country anything analogous to its circus. The performances of "Durov's Corner" are very popular with the audience.
About the theater
The history of the Durov Animal Theater in Moscow began in 1912. It was then that the founder of the legendary circus dynasty opened his own unique circus, on the stage of which people and animals performed. Vladimir Leonidovich Durov had his own methods of training. He did not use a stick and a whip. He brought up kindness, affection, love and encouraged goodies. Vladimir Durov treated animals as sentient and understanding creatures.
In his theater, in addition to performances, excursions and scientific developments were held, so the museum and the laboratory of zoopsychology were in the building. This is a unique institution.
Since then, the appearance of the building in which the Durov Animal Theater is located has not changed much. "Grandfather Durov's Corner" - that’s what its name sounds like. The room in which he lives was designed by the most famous architect of the time, August Weber.
In 2012, the theater turned 100 years old. Today it has two scenic venues - the Big (designed for 328 seats) and the Small (accommodating up to 90 spectators). As before, the main goal of his work is not to entertain, but also to teach the audience to treat our younger brothers with love and kindness, to be honest, to respect elders and always come to the aid of their friends.
The performances of "Grandfather Durov's Corner" are intended for spectators from one and a half years to infinity. Each visitor, in addition to the performance, can visit the museum and the laboratory.
"Grandfather Durov's Corner" allows you to get into a real fairy tale. Here, animals behave exactly as described in Russian fairy tales. Kids will see that the fox-sister can cunning, the wise raven - to count and talk, and the bunny must fall into different troubles.
Elephants, raccoons, monkeys, badgers, hippos, lions, eagles and other animals perform on stage.
Corner trainers are real virtuosos. They use only gentle training methods that were developed by V. L. Durov.
Interesting facts about the theater:
- The street on which it is located has been renamed and named after V.L. Durova.
- The statues of animals that adorn the lobby of the theater, sculpted with his own hands Vladimir Leonidovich.
- The animals participating in the performances were referred to in the poster as "active muzzles."
Durov Dynasty
The Beast Theater named after Durov has existed for more than a hundred years. It was founded by the world-famous founder of the circus dynasty. Vladimir Leonidovich was born in 1863. He was from an old noble family.
V. Durov and his younger brother Anatoly were orphaned and brought up in the family of their godfather N.Z. Zakharova. He was going to make the boys military, but the brothers loved the circus, were fond of acrobatics and enjoyed watching the performances of clowns.
Soon Vladimir and Anatoly fled to Tver. There they joined the wandering circus troupe of Rinaldo. They had to go through a heavy acting school. They mastered all the circus professions.
In 1912, Vladimir Leonidovich opened the "Durov Corner". Here he lived until the end of his days with his family, here he worked.
The wife of Durov became a circus rider. After his death, she led the theater. Then these duties were assumed by their daughter Anna.
The Durov Dynasty is six People's Artists and three Honored.
Now the theater is led by the great-grandson of Vladimir Leonidovich - Yuri Yuryevich.
Performances
The Durov Beast Theater this season includes the following performances in its repertoire:
- "In the footsteps of the Snow Queen."
- "The history of the crystal shoe."
- "Turnip".
- "An extraordinary journey."
- "The Adventures of the Elf Roy."
- "Give me a fairy tale."
- "How Grandma-Yozhka became good."
- "The Tale of the Golden Fish" and others.
Human actors
The Beast Theater named after Durov is a talented trainers and actors all rolled into one.
Real virtuosos work in the troupe:
- Lyudmila Terekhova.
- Natalya Durova, Jr.
- Leah Makienko.
- Ekaterina Zverintseva.
- Naum Kannengiser.
- Irina Sidorova-Popova.
- Maria Smolskaya.
- Marina Frolova.
- Yuri Yuryevich Durov.
- Svetlana Maksimova.
- Vildan Yakubov.
- Elena Sokolova.
- Irina Sizova.
- Vladimir Somov and others.
Animal actors
The Durov Animal Theater is a troupe that is not just made up of people. Animals work here. They are treated like real artists. In the "Corner" live and work:
- Chimpanzee Tom.
- Goat Yesha.
- Hippopotamus Dobrynya.
- Monkey Jasmine.
- Badger Chuck.
- Elephant Susie.
- Hippo Fly.
- Tigress Masyanya.
- Elephant Ramie.
- Bear Petrovich.
- Donkey Donkey.
As well as cats, dogs, ponies, porcupines, goats, noses and so on.
Museum
The Durov Animal Theater in Moscow has its own museum. He is located in an old mansion of the late 19th century. This is the same house in which the founder of the circus dynasty lived - Vladimir Leonidovich Durov. The trainer's family lived on the second floor. At the first was a menagerie, the animal theater "Baby", a scientific laboratory and a zoological museum.
Today there are guided tours that introduce visitors to the life and work of V.L. Durova. In the museum you can see old photographs and posters, stage costumes.
Entering the office of V. L. Durov, visitors see Vladimir Leonidovich sitting at the table. He "comes to life" and goes to the public. The role of V. Durov is played by the theater artist O. Savitsky. Then he shows his pets. Demonstrates the training method used by Vladimir Leonidovich.
The museum has a living area. The main attractions invented by the master are recreated here.
The Mouse Railway
Not only with its performances is the Durov Animal Theater unique. Its sights also cause delight not only among young visitors, but also among their parents. These include attractions that V.L. Durov: "Laundry raccoon Tishki", "Friendly lunch."
The most beloved and famous among them is the Mouse Railway. This is a mechanical attraction in which live mice take part. It was completely renovated in 2013. Before the audience appears the settlement of Myshgorod. Great mice live here. And then one day they go to sports competitions. They ride the train, sail on a boat, fly on a plane and take the funicular!
These funny mice have a best friend. It's a cat. She leads the story of the adventures that occur with young travelers. The presentation ends with the fact that the Cat goes around the auditorium, holding a hand mouse in her hands, which allows all children to stroke.