The Bolshoi Drama Theater. Tovstonogova: repertoire, history

The famous theater of St. Petersburg, which was one of the first, founded after the October Revolution. In different years, famous directors and actors served and served there. BDT is considered one of the most beautiful theaters in the world.

History of Theater

The Bolshoi Drama Theater. Tovstonogov was opened on February 15, 1919. Due to the absence of its own building, the troupe gave performances at the Conservatory. The room was not heated, it was very cold, but every night the halls were full.

The idea to organize the theater belongs to M. Gorky. She was supported by M. Andreeva , a commissar of theaters and circuses. Also to the founders is the artist A. Benois.

The artistic council, which was headed by M. Gorky, decided to invite directors A. Lavrentyev and N. Arbatov to the posts. Actor N. Monakhov was appointed to the group and was engaged in the selection of artists. The musical directors of the theater were A. Gauk and Yu. Shaporin. The troupe was collected from prominent artists who were leading actors of other theaters, and among them was Yu. Yuriev - the star of a little movie.

BDT's own building was received in 1920 and to this day does not change its location.

Before Tovstonogov

Since the spring of 1919 the chairman of the artistic council of the theater was A. Blok. The Bolshoi Drama Theater. Tovstonogov in the first years of existence demonstrated performances that corresponded to the intention of its creators, who wanted to see in it a revolutionary program - the repertoire was of a heroic and social nature. On the stage there were productions on the works of F. Schiller, V. Hugo, W. Shakespeare, because the Soviet drama has not yet developed. In many ways the face of the theater was determined by his artists. Among them was the famous B. Kustodiev. As claimed by the actress N. Lezhen, who played in the theater at that time, the props were not used on the stage, things were real: furniture was borrowed from rich houses. Even the costumes were genuine. In 1925 the play "Conspiracy of the Empress" was staged. The role of Vyrubova played N. Lezhen and in the play she wore a dress that really belonged to her heroine, which existed in reality. Great importance was attached to music, with the theater collaborated B. Asafiev, Yu Shaporin, I. Vyshnegradsky.

From 1921 to 1923, the theater experienced great changes. Those who stood at its sources: M. Gorky and M. Andreeva - left Russia. A. Block died. Some of the actors returned to the theaters, where they served before the invitation to the BDT. The main director A. Lavrentiev left his post in 1921, but two years later he returned and until 1929 held this post. Left the theater artist A. Benois. In their place came other people who brought something new, expanded the repertoire with plays by domestic and foreign playwrights of that era.

From 1929 to 1935 the main director was K. Tverskoy - a student of V. Meyerhold. Since then, the number of new productions for classical works has decreased. And for the entire period of the leadership of K. Tversky two new classical plays were staged. Preference was given to the works of contemporary authors: Yu. Olesha, N. Pogodin, A. Fiko, L. Slavin.

In 1932 the theater was given the name of one of its founders, it became known as "Gorky's name". Then the repertoire included some of the writer's works.

Theater in the years 1935-1955

There was a time when the Bolshoi Drama Theater. Tovstonogov was experiencing a creative crisis. This period lasted 20 years - from 1935 to 1955. This time can be called a crisis of direction, as talented directors appeared and declared themselves interesting performances, but did not stay long and left the theater (not always of their own free will). K. Tversky in 1935 was deported from the city, and was soon shot. A. Wild served in the theater only a year, then was arrested. All the directors who were after him were delayed by an average of 1-2 years. Due to the frequent change of leaders, the atmosphere in the team deteriorated, the quality of the productions decreased, the BDT lost its popularity, the spectators were sometimes smaller than the actors on the stage, the financial situation worsened, and the threat of closure appeared.

In the era of Tovstonogov

In 1956 G.Tovstonogov was invited to the post of the chief director of the BDT, and he was given great powers. He began his service in the post with the fact that he fired many actors. The new leader tried to attract the viewer, for this reason the comedy appeared in the repertoire. Already in the beginning of 1957 the Bolshoi Drama Theater named after. Tovstonogov returned former popularity, and the performances began to take place at full halls. After 6 years of work G. Tovstonogov won the glory of a talented and successful filmmaker. The theater was on tour in many countries of the world and gained popularity abroad. Georgy Alexandrovich served as the chief director of the BDT for three decades.

End of the 20th - early 21st century

After G. Tovstonogov died, he was replaced by K. Lavrov, who was not a director, and therefore the theater was in constant search of the directors. Lavrov assembled a staff that worked on an ongoing basis. However, he often invited co-directors from other theaters to co-operate. In 1992, BDT got its modern name. In 2004, the Bolshoi Drama Theater named after Tovstonogov became the main director, he became T. Chkheidze, who held this post until 2013.

Theater today

In March 2013 A. Moguchy became artistic director of the BDT . From 2011 to 2014 the theater building on Fontanka was closed for restoration. On September 26, the Grand Drama Theater was unveiled. Tovstonogov. The photo below is an image of the auditorium of the BDT.

The theater has three venues: in the building on the Fontanka Embankment there are two halls, and one in the Kamennoostrovsky Theater.

The famous actors of the theater and its repertoire

In different years, such actors as T. Doronin, V. Strzhelchik, P. Luspekaev, O. Basilashvili, I. Smoktunovsky, A. Freindlikh, N. Usatova and others glittered and continued to glorify the Bolshoi Drama Theater. Tovstonogov.

His repertoire is very wide and includes classical and modern plays.

How to get there

In the very center of the city, on the Fontanka Embankment, in the house numbered 65 there is the Bolshoi Drama Theater. Tovstonogov. The address of his second stage is the metro station "Krestovsky Ostrov", the square of the Old Theater, house 13.