It all started with the fact that the puppeteers of S. Obraztsov in 1940 came with their performances to perform in Grodno. A puppet theater of its own appeared here after these legendary tours. S. Obraztsov himself participated in its discovery. Today the theater’s repertoire is very rich and designed for audiences of all ages.
Theater History
Puppet Theater (Grodno), whose photo is presented in this article, was born three times. For the first time in 1940 after the tour of S. Obraztsov and his troupe, as mentioned above. The first professional puppet theater of the city was headed by V. Yarma.
The new-born temple of art opened with the performance “Tarabumba Circus” based on the play by V. Lyakh. The theater did not last long, as the war began, which prevented him from working.
The troupe's rebirth took place in 1946. It was an amateur theater. It was located in the building of the House of Folk Art. The first performance is the fairy tale "Baby Elephant". After a year of its existence, the theater became state-owned and received professional status. But after years, he stopped his work.
In 1980, for the third time, a puppeteer troupe was born in the city of Grodno. The puppet theater was created by decision of the regional executive committee. The troupe was headed by N. Cherkasov and S. Yurkevich. Graduates from Belarusian and Russian universities and colleges (Leningrad Institute of Theater, Music and Cinema, Grodno School of Culture, Belarusian Theater and Art Institute) were invited to work in the theater.
The puppeteers showed their first performance in May 1981. It was a fairy tale "Ludwig and Tutta." Soon the repertoire expanded. But the performances it included at that time were exclusively for children.
The Grodno Puppet Theater is famous for the fact that a puppet opera was first staged here. The performance was designed to introduce young viewers to the world of musical productions. Over time, the repertoire expanded its age audience.
Theater today
Today, puppeteers of the city of Grodno continue with great interest and with enthusiasm to expand the repertoire intended for an adult audience. Puppet Theater today can offer the older generation more than a dozen performances. They are staged not only in the timeless and ageless classics, but also in the works of modern playwrights.
Over the past few years, the theater has won a huge number of main prizes, awards, grand prix at festivals among puppeteers of international level.
The troupe is actively touring. Over the past five years, artists have already visited many cities not only in Russia, but also in the world. Puppeteers visited: Kaliningrad, Uzhgorod, Vilnius, Subotica, Wroclaw, Prague, Gdansk, Limoges, Chelyabinsk, Alba Julia, Krakow, Ryazan, Panevezys, Zagreb, St. Petersburg, Warsaw, Kaunas, Pecs, Lublin, Omsk, Lusser, Torun, Ostrava, Moscow, Minden, Bialystok and so on.
The theater regularly receives invitations to participate in major festivals in different countries. Among them: “Vasara”, “Meetings in Russia”, “Contact”, “Theater Confrontation” and others.
For his great contribution to the development of art in the Republic, as well as international relations, the President of Belarus twice awarded a special prize to the theater staff in 2013 and 2014.
To date, the puppet theater in Grodno offers viewers to view about forty productions. Spectators of different generations, with different interests and tastes, will find here something interesting for themselves.
A huge arsenal is used as expressive means: first of all, of course, acting and dolls of different systems, as well as masks, sets, props, costumes, moving parts and so on.
A few years ago, the theater building underwent a massive reconstruction. The auditorium was refurbished. New facilities built. The structures of the building were reinforced. All communications have been replaced. In addition to the restoration of the building itself, technical re-equipment was also carried out. The most modern equipment was installed. The second hall is built - Chamber. In addition, a museum has opened in the theater.
Repertoire
Puppet Theater (Grodno) offers the audience a rich repertoire. There are performances not only for children, but also for young people, as well as the public of the adult generation.
Puppet Theater Repertoire:
- "Frost."
- "Butts and Batleem."
- The Magic Ring.
- "Demon".
- "Cat house".
- "Little Muck".
- "Queen of the Snows."
- The Queen of Spades.
- "Masha and the Bear".
- "Snow White and the Dwarves."
- "A dream in a summer night".
- "The sun and the little snow men."
- "Cinderella".
- "Star Boy."
- “Viy. Terrible revenge "and other performances.
Troupe
The Puppet Theater (Grodno) gathered under its roof not a large, but universal troupe, in which talented artists serve. Theater actors are able to play both puppet shows and go on stage in a "living plan".
Troupe:
- Svetlana Bobrovskaya.
- Alexander Enzheevsky.
- Tamara Korneva.
- Larisa Mikulich.
- Alexander Shelkoplyasov.
- Olga Avasilki.
- Ivan Dobruk.
- Vitaly Leonov.
- Alexander Ratko.
- Galina Zakrevskaya and others.
Reviews
Mostly positive and enthusiastic reviews are received by puppeteers from residents and visitors of the city of Grodno. Puppet theater, according to viewers, in its repertoire includes only interesting, instructive performances. The actors here are the real masters of their craft, they play simply incomparable.
Among the performances loved by the public include:
- "Gull".
- "Visit of the old lady."
- "Little Muck".
- "Cat house".
- "Demon".
- The magic ring.
- "Cabaret squared" and others.
Performances that are intended for young spectators are liked not only by children, but also by adults. Parents write that they received no less pleasure from watching fairy tales than kids, and look forward to the next trip.
The theater hall, according to the public, is very cozy, beautiful, with good, pleasant lighting.
Viewers say that every performance of Gordninskaya puppeteers is a real small miracle.
The majority of visitors consider the theater’s only drawback to be not very good heating in the cold season, small children can freeze and get sick.
Where is
The Puppet Theater is located next to the Eternal Flame, Zhiliber Park, State University, the Chetvertinsky Palace, and the Museum of M. Bogdanovich. This is the central part of the city of Grodno. The Puppet Theater has the following address: Dzerzhinsky Street, house 1/1.