Russian Army Theater view from the balcony. Theater of the Soviet Army: address, how to get there

In the history of theaters in our capital, the Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army occupies one of the leading places. The building that the theater occupies is a masterpiece of architecture that no longer exists anywhere. This is the largest stage area in Europe. The theater has Large and Small halls with a total capacity of almost 2000 seats. The history of the theater itself began in 1930 with the Red Army Theater. In 1951, the theater was renamed the Theater of the Soviet Army, and only in 1993 the Theater of the Russian Army.

From the very first years of its activity and today, the theater is famous for the star cast of its troupe. Previously, L. Fetisova, L. Dobrzhanskaya, F. Ranevskaya, M. Mayorov, M. Pertsovsky, V. Pestovsky shone here. Today, the theater troupe includes famous Moscow actors L. Golubkina, F. Chekhankov, E. Anisimova, G. Kozhakina, V. Zeldin, A. Rudenko, L. Kasatkina, M. Shmaevich and many other beloved and talented actors.

The Russian Army Theater was also distinguished by its special approach to stage productions - its high artistic level. The theater was also directed by A.D. Popov, and A.A. Popov. On the stage of the theater you can see productions on military themes and modern plays, performances based on Russian and European classics.

The most memorable productions in the theater were “The Lady of the Camellias” by A. Dumas, “Trees Die Standing” by A. Cason, “The Inventive Lover” by Lope de Vega, “Much Ado About Nothing” by Shakespeare, “In a Lively Place” by A.N. Ostrovsky, “At the Bottom” by M. Gorky, “Heart on a Stone” by A.N. Ostrovsky, “The Miser” by Moliere.

The Russian Army Theater was awarded the significant Crystal Turandot award, and also took part in the World Theater Olympiad and the Czech Theater Festival. The theater showed its productions in many army units and garrisons. Today the theater's repertoire includes 19 performances. KVN games are also held on the theater stage.

For more than ten years, the theater has had a children's studio that prepares young artists for performances on the big stage and for film projects.

Buy tickets at Russian Army Theater It was quite difficult in Soviet times, due to the fact that many guests of the capital and Muscovites tried to get to the performances. The Russian Army Theater is a harmonious interweaving of classics with drama, excellent acting. By allowing yourself to buy tickets to the Russian Army Theater, you can feel all the grace and skill of the actors!

The Russian Army Theater in Moscow is a unique academic theater institution under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense and has no analogues in the global “theater space”. This refers to the history and organization of the theater, as well as the enormous size of the magnificent building and stage area, which is considered the largest in Europe.

Story

The birth of the theater itself, which was called the Central Theater of the Red Army, dates back to 1929, when the very first performance was staged, dedicated to the military conflict in Manchuria on the border with China.

And only in 1934 did they begin to erect a building, the construction of which was completed 6 years later - in 1940. Based on the results of the competition, a project developed by the chief architect of Moscow Karo Alabyan in collaboration with V.N. was chosen. Simbirtsev.

The majestic, three-tier, compositionally complex building in the shape of a five-pointed star is considered a monumental architectural masterpiece of the “Stalians” style - the “Stalinist Empire”, which combined elements of classicism, baroque, Napoleonic empire and neo-Gothic. The Theater building has ten floors. Six of them occupy the Great Hall for 1900 seats and the Small Hall for 400 spectators.

The unique feature of the Theater is the scale of the stage size and the power of the stage mechanisms, the designs of which, including the complex lifting and turning structures of twelve platforms, were developed by engineer Ivan Maltsin. Thanks to the commissioning of such serious design developments, the stage area can be transformed into any complex spaces. It became possible to implement the plans of theater artists for the scenographic design of performances with the reproduction of mass battles, medieval interiors and mountain landscapes. The unique scene made it possible to create a world of reality with the participation of cars, tanks, military units and cavalry.

The decoration and fresco painting of the theater was carried out by the most talented painters, monumentalists and graphic artists: Alexander Deineka, Lev Bruni, Alexander Gerasimov, Ilya Feinberg, Vladimir Favorsky with his sons, Sokolov-Skalya. Lamps and interior items were made to special order.

In 1951, the theater venue was renamed the Central Theater of the Soviet Army, which in 1975 received the title of academic. In 1993, the famous theater became the Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army.

Productions and team

The theater's debut repertoire consisted mainly of patriotic plays by brilliant writers and playwrights - Konstantin Simonov, Viktor Astafiev, Yuri Bondarev, Vasily Bykov, Victor Grossman, and later Bulat Okudzhava and Vladimir Motyl.

The play “A Long Time Ago” by Alexander Gladkov was staged most often (more than 1200 times) in the history of the theater, on the basis of which Eldar Ryazanov made the famous film “The Hussar Ballad”.

Gradually the repertoire expanded to include classical works of world drama. During its operation, the theater staged numerous performances that earned the love of the audience and prestigious awards. Musical concerts, 3-D musicals, performances - dramas, tragedies and comedies, musicals for children and adults, solo concerts, creative evenings, children's festivals are held on two stages.

Among the performances are famous plays by Alexander Ostrovsky, Chekhov, Alexei Tolstoy, European classics - Shakespeare, Goldoni, Lope de Vega, works by Bulgakov, Jean Sarman, Bronislav Nusic, James Goldman, comedies by Eduardo De Filippo, grotesque realism by Yuri Polyakov, dramas by Alexei Arbuzov.

The Army Theater is a team of talented and multifaceted artists. At first, the stage was the place where the best graduates of theater schools and young actors completed their military service. Later, the leading actors of the Russian Army Theater were Vladimir Zeldin, Nina Sazonova, Fyodor Chenkhankov, Larisa Golubkina, Lyudmila Chursina, Evgeny Steblov, Lyudmila Kasatkina, Boris Plotnikov, and other stage and film stars. Alexander Domogarov, Yuri Komissarov, Olga Kabo worked here.

Today, both experienced artists and actors of the younger generation adorn the theater stage with their creativity. Talented directors strive to update the repertoire, make creative changes to productions, and delight the viewer with interesting new products. This is where amateurs and experts come to experience the highest professionalism of the Russian theater school, known throughout the world.

Video from Moscow 24 TV channel about the Russian Army Theater:

The Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army has no analogues not only in Russia, but also in the world. This applies to the enormous size of the building itself and its stage, and to the organization of the theater, which is completely under the control of the Ministry of Defense.

The army has always played a big role in the life of Russian and Soviet society. Suffice it to recall the numerous sports teams of the highest level, which, under the patronage of the army, forged victories that brought prestige to the state. The Ministry of Defense’s attitude to art was also very attentive. In 1930, the Central Theater of the Red Army was created, taking place in a specially built building - a monumental masterpiece of the Stalinist Empire style. Such a building can be the envy of all other theaters in Moscow. The theater building was put into operation in 1940 and includes two halls - Big and Small. The Great Hall, which seats 1,900 spectators, is the largest theater hall in Europe.

The size of the stage in the Great Hall is also grandiose. Previously, mass, large-scale productions with the reproduction of battle scenes were very popular. If necessary, entire military units could appear on the theater stage, as well as riders or cars!

Strictly speaking, by the time of the official opening, the theater had already existed for two years. It was an organized system of propaganda brigades that performed in military camps in the Far East. After moving to Moscow, the theater immediately began to gain popularity. At first, the theater's repertoire consisted mainly of patriotic plays. The posters were full of the following names: “First Cavalry”, “Commander Suvorov”, “Front”, “Stalingraders”. The most famous performance of the theater in its entire history is “A Long Time Ago” by Alexander Gladkov, which served as the basis for the film “The Hussar Ballad”. This performance is more than 1200 times higher!

The Theater of the Russian (until 1993 - Soviet) Army has always been famous for its troupe. In Soviet times, the issue of staffing was resolved simply - the best young actors served as theater employees. Actresses also willingly went to work in the Soviet Army Theater - the wage conditions there were very good. At different times, theater actors included Vladimir Soshalsky, Boris Plotnikov, Evgeny Steblov, Alexander Domogarov. The leading actors of the modern theater of the Russian Army are Vladimir Zeldin, Fyodor Chenkhankov, Lyudmila Chursina, Lyudmila Kasatkina.

The theater's modern repertoire includes 19 performances, including Russian classics (works by A. Ostrovsky), European classics (Lope de Vega, Goldoni) and more modern plays. If you want to enjoy the performance of the masters and feel the grandeur of the “Soviet-style” theaters, buy tickets to the Russian Army Theater!

“Moscow has been decorated with a new wonderful building: the Central Theater of the Red Army was built. The grandiose, monumental building of the theater rises on Commune Square, one of the most spacious squares in the capital. It pleases the eye with its wonderful architectural appearance, harmonious harmony of forms, unusual volumes, height. In addition to its main purpose - to be the center of theatrical culture of the Red Army, the theater should also serve as a great architectural monument to the heroic army of the country of socialism, a monument that will exist for many, many centuries. Therefore, the theater building is given the shape of a five-pointed Red Army star in its plan. This emblem is the main, leading motif in the entire architecture of the building." - magazine "Technology for Youth" 1940

We could not pass by the building, which, according to some historians, is a landmark in Soviet architecture (the beginning of the Stalinist Empire style). And one summer night they tried to get inside unnoticed. Knowing that the theater belongs to the Ministry of Defense and military conscription is carried out there, we assumed that a few hours after lights out everyone would be in the arms of Morpheus.

Our guess turned out to be correct.

01. The Red Army Theater begins its history in 1929. This year, on the initiative of the Political Directorate of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (PU of the Red Army), a theater was formed from several propaganda brigades to serve the Red Army troops and their commanders. On February 6, 1930, the first review performance "K.V.Zh.D." (director - V. Fedorov, script S. Alimov) dedicated Armed conflict between China and the Soviet Union in 1929 over the southern branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Initially, this section of the road was built by agreement with China, under the Russian Empire, but after the October Revolution (1917), it was nationalized by the Harbin Council of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies. Two weeks later, Chinese troops explained that this was not necessary and dispersed the Harbin Council. In 1924, the government of the USSR reached an agreement with China and the road was taken over by the Soviet side. But in 1929, China captured the Chinese Eastern Railway. Now the Red Army has to clearly explain to the Chinese that there is no need to do this, and in two and a half months it arranges a complete defeat of the Chinese troops and restores control over the road. In 1932, Japanese troops captured Harbin and annexed it to the puppet state of Manchukuo, formed in the same year. In light of these events, the Soviet government, after months of negotiations, sells the Chinese Eastern Railway to the government of Manchukuo. After 13 years, the Red Army erased the puppet state of Manchukuo from history and took the road back, and in 1952, as a sign of goodwill, the USSR donated it to China free of charge. This date is considered the theater's birthday. Before the appearance of a separate building, the theater performed its performances in the Red Banner Hall of the House of the Red Army (Now the Cultural Center of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation) and often toured Red Army units and garrisons.

02. In the 30s, the USSR began the uncontrolled demolition of architectural monuments, which, according to the party, symbolized the tsarist power. Instead of old symbols, new ones were required - demonstrating the values of a young and ambitious state. Architects of that time were characterized by the search for a new, special “proletarian” style. The emphasis was on continuity from classicism with clarity and simplicity of forms, but without abstract abstraction, from baroque - an organic sense of the materiality of the world, but without exaltation and hypertrophy. In 1932, the new style received the approval of the party and the term socialist realism was voiced for the first time.

03. Under the influence of a new trend in architecture, deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, academician of architecture Alabyan Karo Semenovich (1897 - 1959). Soviet architect. Chief Architect of Moscow. In 1929, he was among the founders of the All-Russian Society of Proletarian Architects (VOPRA), which considered its goal to promote “new proletarian architecture.” In addition to the Red Army Theater K.S. Alabyan is also known for other works: the pavilion of the Armenian SSR at the All-Russian Exhibition Center, the ground lobby of the Krasnopresnenskaya metro station, the Sochi Marine Station, the railway station building in Voronezh, planning the residential district of Khimki - Khovrino, participated in the development of the Master Plan for the reconstruction of Moscow. He was a laureate of the USSR State Prize (1941), a laureate of the Lenin Prize (1951), awarded two orders (Order of the Badge of Honor, Order of the Red Banner of Labor), and received the Grand Prix at the International Exhibition of Arts and Technology in Paris. On January 5, 1959, Karo Semenovich dies of lung cancer. A street in Moscow (Alabyan St.) and a street in Yerevan (Alabyan St.) were named in his honor. and architect Vasily Nikolaevich Simbirtsev (1901-1982). Soviet architect. Chief architect of Stalingrad (now Volgograd). One of the organizers of the All-Russian Society of Proletarian Architects (VOPRA). In addition to his work on the Central Theater of the Red Army, he is also famous for other projects: the pavilion of the Byelorussian SSR, residential buildings on Krasnoselskaya Street and Leningradskoye Shosse, Prombank on Tverskaya Street. He was involved in the restoration of Stalingrad after the war. He was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor and the Stalin Prize, 2nd degree. On October 19, 1982, Vasily Nikolaevich dies in Moscow. A street in Volgograd (street named after Simbirtsev) is named in his honor. developed a project for the Central Theater of the Red Army.

04. The architects were given the task of creating a building-monument that embodies the power of the Red Army. Taking into account the fact that the specificity of theater buildings with a deep stage already had a spatial composition worked out over centuries, unfolding along the longitudinal axis of symmetry (entrance, lobby, foyer with sidelines, auditorium, stage box). It was very difficult to create a new three-dimensional form that the viewer would associate with the Red Army.

05. Since socialist realism required simplicity and clarity of forms and no abstract perception, the figure of a five-pointed star was chosen as the basis, so that even the birds understood that this was not just any theater, but a theater of the Red Army. There are a huge number of stars in the theater, even the columns have a star-shaped cross-section.

06. It was impossible to solve the assigned tasks without losses. The Central Theater of the Red Army has worse acoustics, an oversized foyer and halls, a number of rooms not included in the program and several extra stairs. All this led to a significant increase in the building's cubic capacity.

07. Without exaggeration, the whole country was involved in the construction of the theater "About 40 different factories of the Soviet Union carried out orders for this grandiose structure. The Kramatorsk plant named after Stalin manufactured heavy truss structures for the stage; the Leningrad plant "Electrosila" gave the theater motors; the Kharkov Electromechanical Plant - complex electrical equipment; the Moscow plant "Metro" made external fittings, metal hangers, marble works; Malo-Vishera glass factory made colored glass and all the artistic glass fittings."- magazine "Technology for Youth".

08. Probably the most spectacular place in the theater is the large hall, designed for 1520 seats. This is the most spacious drama theater hall in the world. When it was designed, special care was taken to ensure that all seats were equally comfortable, emphasizing equality between classes. “In the theaters that were built by the bourgeoisie, concern for the spectator did not rise above the stalls and boxes. It was concern for the wealthy visitor. Comfortable, soft chairs, the chic and luxury of the so-called “expensive seats” were intended for him. But about the comfort of the spectators of the balcony and especially the galleries were not very worried. There were common wooden benches, from here almost nothing was visible, the voice of the actor was barely audible. The revolution put art at the service of the people. And in the new Soviet theater of the Red Army, all seats are equally comfortable and good." They even solved the problem of the seats slamming by attaching them to a hinge so that they rotate silently.

09. The stage of the large hall is also not small, it is considered the largest not only in the Russian Federation, but also in Europe. Dimensions are not the only thing the theater can be proud of. Technical devices and its mechanisms designed by engineer I.E. Maltsin, could change the smooth floor of the stage, making it possible to create any relief on it. The stage consists of three main parts: a large rotating drum with a diameter of 26 meters, inside it there is a snare drum half the size and a stationary part. Both drums can rotate around their axis independently of each other. In addition to rotating disks, so-called tables are installed on the stage, which can rise to a height of 2.5 meters and drop to a depth of two meters. There are 19 tables in total, 10 on the large disk, 3 on the small disk, and 3 on each side in the fixed part. With the help of these tables, it was possible to create a giant amphitheater for large conventions. For such cases, special shields were provided to cover the orchestra pit, thereby combining the auditorium with the stage, which increased the capacity of the room to almost 4 thousand people.

10. In the diagram above, behind the stage, a point that is unusual for theaters is striking - a tank entrance. According to the architects' ideas, it was planned that real military equipment could be used in theatrical productions. I don’t know if this is true or fiction, but they told me that once a tank drove into the theater. The stage floor couldn't support him and he fell through. By the way, there was a place for the tank to fall, there were three technical floors under the stage.

The photograph shows a small rotating drum with a diameter of 13 meters.

11. Going down under the stage, you can see the design of a large rotating drum. Its height is 9.5 meters. The bottom of the drum consists of two powerful, mutually intersecting beams, on which running wheels are mounted. With these wheels it rests in a circle on a circular rail track along which the drum rotates.

Metal snare drum truss under stage.

12. In order for the device to work, there is an engine room with electric motors at the lowest level. Energy to the electric motors is supplied from the outside, which caused certain difficulties during construction. It was impossible to simply run wires and cables to the drums, since when they rotated, they would simply break. The solution to the problem was to use ring current collectors. But the factories that the engineers contacted did not dare to take on such a complex and urgent order - there were only two months left before the opening. The Komsomol of the Dzerzhinsky district, on whose territory the theater was built, came to the rescue. Having contacted the Komsomol members of the Moscow Dynamo plant named after Kirov (now this plant is in an abandoned state), they asked them to fulfill the order. Together with the chief engineer of the plant, within a month, drawings were prepared and two pantographs were manufactured, for the large and small drums. The enthusiasm and professionalism of Soviet engineers is admirable, because before this, no one had made such pantographs and they were completely unique from a design point of view. The necessary products were manufactured before the contract was concluded between the plant and the construction organization.

One of the snare drum's electric motors.

13. Electric motors, lighting (over 10,000 light points were located throughout the theater in the 40s) and various equipment required large amounts of electricity. Therefore, the theater has its own electrical substation. At the time of opening, about 50 kilometers of multi-core cable were stretched across the entire theater. “If all these wires, all the electrical and telephone wires were pulled into one line, it would stretch from Moscow to Kyiv, a distance of 800 kilometers.” In the 21st century, the theater underwent a large-scale reconstruction to update electrical equipment. Over 6 months of work, over 300 kilometers of cable were laid to connect stage lighting, electroacoustics and video projection equipment.

14. Marshal of the Soviet Union K. E. Voroshilov played an important role in the creation of the theater. With his direct participation, the main issues arising during construction were resolved. He also reviewed and made amendments to the sketches of artistic painting, and monitored the selection of furniture and interior items. There is a legend that the marshal had something to do with the appearance of the theater. At a meeting with the architect K.S. With Alabyan, he outlined his ashtray in the shape of a star with a pencil and suggested building it that way.

15. While in the large hall, it is impossible not to pay attention to the painting of the ceiling. It was made by painting professors L.A. Bruni and V.L. Favorsky. Here's how they wrote about it in the magazine Youth Technology from 1940: “You involuntarily raise your eyes upward to see aviation. Over the heads of the spectators, in the expanses of a clear, blue sky, proud Stalinist falcons fly. This magnificent artistic painting of the ceiling gives a feeling of freedom, expanse. "

16. A few words about the theater’s repertoire.

17. Over its history, the Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army (last name, the theater was renamed several times) created more than 300 performances.

18. The productions were not only of a military-patriotic orientation ("Front" by A.E. Korneichuk, "Stalingraders" by Yu.P. Chepurin, "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" by B.L. Vasiliev, etc.). Classic performances by William Shakespeare ("A Midsummer Night's Dream", "The Taming of the Shrew", "Macbeth", "Much Ado About Nothing", "Hamlet", "Othello") and performances of Russian classics ("The Bourgeoisie", "At the Demise") were also shown. " - M. Gorky, "The Inspector General" - N. Gogol, "The Heart is not a Stone" - A. Ostrovsky, "Uncle Vanya", "The Seagull" - A. Chekhov and others). In the large hall of the Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army (CATRA), games of the major leagues of KVN are also held.

19. Among the productions there are also long-lived performances: “The Dance Teacher” by Lope de Vega, staged in 1946, was performed more than 1900 times, the 1942 premiere of “A Long Time Ago” by Alexander Gladkov - about 1200 times. They can be seen in CATRA even now.

20. In addition to performances, all festive events of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are held on the basis of the theater, anniversaries of the branches and branches of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the Main and Central Directorates of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation are celebrated. The good tradition of military-patriotic education of youth has not been forgotten.

21. Since the founding of the theater, in Soviet times, the troupe has constantly toured military units and garrisons. Now CATRA artists also do not sit in their building, but annually (more than 20 trips) give concerts and perform performances in various military districts .

22. "The CATRA staff consists of more than three hundred people, including more than 130 people of the creative staff, among whom: People's Artists of the USSR V.M. Zeldin, L.A. Chursina, 13 People's Artists of the Russian Federation, 22 Honored Artists of the Russian Federation and 6 Honored Workers culture of the Russian Federation. A number of artists have been awarded State Prizes, orders and medals of our state. The theater employs about 30 veterans of the Great Patriotic War."- from the official website of CATRA.

23. For creative youth of military age, there is an opportunity to serve in the theater.

24. During a short summer night, we did not manage to go around the entire theater. But we managed to visit, in addition to the large hall, an art workshop, which is located above the large and small halls.

25. Large picturesque decorations are being prepared in it. There are special markings on the floor to make it easier to work with the canvases, and walkways are installed under the ceiling so that you can watch from above the process of preparing the scenery and make changes. When the decoration is ready, it is rolled up and passed through the hatch under the grate flooring, where it is lowered down using blocks.

26. There is one more purpose of the premises: formation and drill training for the “theater troops” undergoing service take place here.

27. Despite the fact that the building appears to be complete, a number of architectural elements were not completed in time for the opening of the theater in 1940.

28. The figure of a giant Red Army soldier was not erected on the top tower of the building, which cannot but rejoice. The sculptural composition "October" is not installed above the central pediment of the theater. And on the five upper corners of the building there are not enough sculptures depicting various types of troops.

29. But the biggest loss, in my opinion, is the unfulfilled idea of using the roof. According to the plan, it was supposed to have a garden with flower beds and lawns, as well as a restaurant, dance floor and cinema. In winter, it was possible to set up an ice skating rink there. For visitors to the theater, on the roof, an excellent panorama would open up, because in 1940, it was the tallest building in Moscow.

Machines for raising and lowering decorations. They have been standing since the founding of the theater.

31. By the way, the idea of using roofs for leisure is not new. In the fall, I had the opportunity to visit the roof of the first skyscraper in Moscow, where a restaurant was opened in 1916, and after the revolution there was a square, a playground and much more, but more on that another time.

32. In conclusion, a few words about the small hall, which we were not able to get into due to lack of time. It is located above a large hall and has a capacity of 450 seats. The Red Banner Song and Dance Ensemble and other artists from the capital performed there. Rehearsals are also held in a small hall. I will also get here soon, but as a spectator.

That's all. A curtain.

The following materials were used to write this post.

For more than ten years, the theater has had a children's studio that prepares young artists for performances on the big stage and for film projects.