Afanasyev Puppet Theater: history of creation and repertoire

Kirov Puppet Theater. Afanasyeva is one of the oldest and most famous theaters in Russia. In June 1935, his creative staff was formed, focused on the children's audience. Afanasyev's theater began to actively carry out serious tasks in the development of the culture of the city and the region. There is a museum in it that contains information about the first artists, such as GN Osokina, AP Kubertskaya, TI Nikolskaya, AN Kudryavtseva. Also there are photos of performances of past years, small newspaper articles about the appearance of the puppet theater.

Attempt at writing

The first performance, staged by the puppet actors, was far from perfect. It was a new experience of an uncharted art form. In this connection, it was decided to open special courses in the building of the theater, where the future puppet actors were taught acting skills.

Already in the autumn, the troupe of actors declared itself as a professional and self-sufficient team. Confidence to the puppeteers inspired the experienced director Sergei Voronetsky. Under his leadership, the puppet theater Afanasyev staged the favorite performances of "Bear Bearer", "Martha the Pilot" and "Balda", beloved by the young spectator.

After these premieres, the cultural institution acquires the status of an independent theater. This unique temple of Melpomene continues to please with high-quality performances of its viewer, now not only young, but also of an adult age. Two years later, in 1939, a new play was staged - "Trivial Affairs" by G. Gradov's comedy.

Military years

During the Great Patriotic War, Sergei Voronetsky perishes. The new head of the theater was the famous actor and brilliant director Anatoly Afanasyev. Subsequently, in 2009, the theater was named in his honor.

During the war, Afanasyev's theater continued its activities, despite the fact that many actors left for the front, the state security was removed, and the only transport was requisitioned for the needs of front-line soldiers. Artists on the roads went with their performances throughout the region. They showed old performances, set new ones, thereby supporting the morale and patriotism of the soldiers, the military and the population. The actors staged agitational performances, and also performed with concert programs in hospitals, recruiting stations, in cultural houses and military units throughout the region.

At this time, the Bolshoi Drama Theater together with Eugene Schwartz, a brilliant playwright and director, offer a creative reunion to the Afanasiev Theater. After a year of cooperation with Schwartz, A. Afanasyev puts a new play on his play - the play "Little Red Riding Hood".

First own room

In the postwar period, Afanasiev's theater receives a room, which became his first own possession. This was a solemn event for every actor-puppeteer. In this building there was a large auditorium, a spacious hall and, most importantly, workshops for making dolls.

The success of performances for adult audiences

A year later, the performance "Devil's Mill", staged by Afanasiev on the comedy by I. Shtok, brought a stunning success. Inspired actors of the theater continue to stage plays intended for adult audiences, which were "Divine Comedy", "Holt", "Sylvester's Treasure", "Galatea's Adorable", "All Adult", "Up to the Third Cocks" and many others.

For 25 years, the Kirov Theater named after Afanasyev was closely associated with the name of the professor of the Leningrad Theatrical Institute, the honored cultural figure M. M. Korolev. His students collaborated with the theater, among them there were N. Borovikov, I. Ignatiev, J. Mer.

At this time the place of the head was occupied by Vadim Anatolyevich Afanasyev, the son of Anatoly Afanasyev. His brilliant acting and unique productions were judged by the public and critics.

"A house where tales of lights are lit"

In 1996, there was a significant event in the life of the puppet theater. Thus, at that time, the memoirs of the 1950s by the Kirov puppeteer were published. In the same year an interesting book was published under the title "A house where tales of lights are lit". It tells about actors-puppeteers, who stood at the beginning of the theater, about those who for two decades created a real fairy tale in the world of dolls. Afanasyev's theater is also famous for its successful productions of its repertoire.

Since 2008, there have been changes in the composition of the management of the theater. Artistic director at this time was V. G. Pyreghov, the main director of the theater was Yu. A. Evdokimov. In 2013, Vasily Pyeregov was replaced by Viktor Bazhenov.

Own building

In 2009, the theater's history saw a joyous and long-awaited event: the construction of its own theater building was over. To date , the theater has two auditoriums, a modern stage with the latest lighting and sound equipment, production workshops.

In 2010, the Kirov Puppet Theater turned 75 years old. It was a real holiday for both the leaders and cast members, and for the viewer. For 75 years the theater has delighted both children and adults with its characters, impeccable play and talent.

Mobile Theater

The international project in the field of theatrical art began in 2011. It was a moving puppet festival "The Ark", which performed ten theaters from cities in Russia and around the world. His performances were also performed on the stage of the Kirov Puppet Theater.

More and more active was the expansion of the repertoire for the adult population, in connection with this, a unique production of "Chamber No. 9" based on Anton Chekhov's play was created. This work surprised and delighted not only the public, but also contemporary critics. In 2012, the production was nominated for the Golden Mask Award, which is the highest award for acting.

Kirov Puppet Theater has in its repertoire about 40 different performances, which were put on the motives of works of domestic and foreign playwrights. The performances are designed for both the adult and the smallest viewer. The Puppet Museum and the Winter Garden of the Theater are impressed by the exhibitions of dolls made in different years and their expositions that convey the bright and rich history of the development of the creative team of puppeteers.

By the way, it is worthwhile to know that the theater of Sergey Afanasyev has nothing to do with the described cultural institution. People who are far from the Melpomene art, guided by the name of the leader, think that this is the same theater. But this is not so. The name of Sergei Afanasyev is called Novosibirsk City Drama Theater.