In a stylish Moscow mansion built at the beginning of the 20th century, at 26, Old Arbat, the Vakhtangov Academic Theater is located . Its history goes back to the distant 1913, when one of Stanislavsky’s students, Evgeny Vakhtangov, decided to create a creative workshop for non-professional actors. A group of enthusiasts staged their first performance, which, however, failed. Sophisticated Moscow audience did not accept the performance with a low level of acting.
Third studio
Evgeni Vakhtangov continued his creative activity and soon he managed to found a theater studio, which later became part of the Moscow Art Theater. Under the roof of the Third Studio (as the Vakhtangov Theater was originally called), talented people, genuine masters of the stage, who were also thinking progressively, gathered.
Thirties
The theater world of Moscow literally came to life with the advent of the Vakhtangov troupe, and although productions on revolutionary themes dominated in those years, Vakhtangov actors were able to present any work and peasant plot as a highly artistic work. There were also performances in the Vakhtangov theater that did not meet revolutionary modernity, for example, the production of "Princess Turandot" based on the tale of Carlo Gozzi. The premiere took place in the spring of 1922, and the performance made a splash.
New time
On May 29, 1922, all theatrical Moscow was mourned due to the death of Yevgeny Bagrationovich Vakhtangov. The brilliant director left a worthy legacy, and his students continued the work begun by the master. Meanwhile, political, economic and cultural changes were brewing in the country. The era of NEP has come, which has required productions that meet the new time. The theater management turned to the fashion writer of that period, Mikhail Bulgakov, with a request to create for the theater some kind of light play on a modern theme.
Such a work was "Zoykina apartment", in tune with the mood of society in the early 30s. It was a sparkling comedy with a witty plot. However, behind the external carelessness of the production, there was a sharp satire of a social orientation, which the authorities did not like. Some other performances of the Vakhtangov Theater also caused conflicts with officials. The "Hamlet" staged by director Akimov in the style of a buffoonery caused fierce criticism of the press. The performance was excluded from the repertoire due to the eccentricity and apolitical interpretation of the plot.
Repression
Soon the wave of performances dedicated to the NEP came to naught, and Leniniana, an endless series of productions glorifying the workers and peasants, was launched in all theaters in Moscow . Statehood supplanted all the artistic merits of directorial work, the dominance of communist cliches and stereotyped scenes became obvious. In addition, the Stalinist repressions of the 30s began. The Vakhtangov Theater also suffered from them. So, the orchestra musician Nikolai Sheremetev, actress Valentina Vargina and actor Oswald Glazunov were arrested. The latter was twice repressed, the second time after the war. Nevertheless, the Yevgeny Vakhtangov Theater has survived and is now alive, revered by thousands of fans.
Theater today
Currently, the Vakhtangov State Academic Theater is one of the most visited in Moscow. The artistic director Rimas Tuminas continues the traditions of his predecessors. The theater still follows the canons formulated at the beginning of the 20th century by Konstantin Sergeyevich Stanislavsky. The team has never changed its reputation in more than ninety years of existence. An unforgettable trace in the tablets of the Vakhtangov Theater was left by the former artistic director Mikhail Ulyanov, who died in the spring of 2007. The memory is alive in the hearts of Muscovites and the recently passed away famous actor Yuri Yakovlev.
Among the living Vakhtangans, one can distinguish the stage patriarch Vladimir Etush, the legendary actor Vasily Lanovoy and his wife - the unsurpassed actress Irina Kupchenko, Vyacheslav Shalevich and Knyazev Eugene. The young generation of Vakhtangans is worthily represented by Nonna Grishaeva and Viktor Sukhorukov. Theater artists are a creative collective of like-minded people over the years. There is no hierarchy in the troupe - everyone is equal here.
Performances
The repertoire of Moscow theaters has always been diverse. The Vakhtangov Theater is no exception. During March and April, thirty performances will be played on its stage, some of them several times. And if the repertoire of theaters of the Russian capital, as a rule, changes once a year, then Vakhtangov’s poster is updated much more often.
We list the performances that can be seen in March-April of this year:
- "Miss None of Alabama";
- "Diary of a Madman";
- "Smile at us, Lord";
- “Jealous of herself”;
- "The wind is noisy in poplars";
- "Scream of lobsters";
- "Crazy day, or the marriage of Figaro" ;
- "Coast of women";
- "Games of the lonely";
- "Medea";
- "Uncle Ivan";
- "Uncle's Dream";
- "Pelias and Melisandra";
- Mademoiselle Nitouche;
- "Eugene Onegin";
- "People are like people";
- "Birds";
- "Quiet my homeland";
- "Masquerade";
- Marina
- "Anna Karenina";
- "Dedication to Eve";
- Othello
- "The last moons";
- "Okay's days";
- Cyrano de Bergerac;
- "Marriage";
- "Farewell tour";
- "Run";
- "Demons";
- "Matrenin yard".
The Vakhtangov Theater, whose performances are captivating with its sincerity, has long been a favorite stage for hundreds of thousands of grateful spectators.
Hall
As you know, the theater begins with a hanger, and ends with an auditorium. Moscow theatergoers, as well as guests of the capital, can appreciate the splendor of both of these by visiting the legendary Melpomene temple on Old Arbat. Vakhtangov Theater It has a modern, recently renovated auditorium, the space of which consists of three tiers: a stall with an amphitheater and benoire lounges in the background, a mezzanine with peripheral lodges, a balcony with lodges in the left and right wing.
Tickets
New theatrical performances are announced long before the premiere. Viewers have the opportunity to worry about purchasing tickets in advance. They can be bought a month before the performance. Those who want to meet with their favorite actors can be sure that this will certainly happen if the Vakhtangov Theater is chosen for visiting. Tickets for the performance are not just sold at the box office. A service has been established, within which you can purchase the coveted pass without leaving your home, by bank transfer. There are many payment methods: by credit card, wire transfer or using the WebMoney system. After paying for the order, the buyer receives a file for printing, on which a special bar code is indicated. With this form you can already go to the theater. The ticket price is fixed, it varies from 1200 to 1800 rubles.