Theater of the Russian Army. Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army Theater of the Soviet Army location of seats in the hall

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 Russian army.

From the very first years of its activity and today the theater is famous star cast of his troupe. Previously, L. Fetisova, L. Dobrzhanskaya, F. Ranevskaya, M. Mayorov, M. Pertsovsky, V. Pestovsky shone here. Today the theater troupe works famous actors Moscow 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 performances of 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 in which young artists are trained for performances. big stage and to film projects.

Buy tickets at Russian Army Theater it was quite difficult and Soviet time, due to the fact that many guests of the capital and Muscovites were eager to attend the performances. The Russian Army Theater is a harmonious interweaving of classics and drama, great game actors. By allowing yourself to buy tickets to the Russian Army Theater, you can feel all the grace and skill of the actors!

A beautiful building in the Stalinist Empire style at the Dostoevskaya metro station, with massive columns, wide staircases, built in the shape five-pointed star, belongs to the Russian Army Theater. One of the most famous stages of the capital was built in the 30s of the 20th century according to the design of K.S. Alabyan and V.N. Simbirtseva. The architects also managed to create the most spacious hall in the world drama theater for 1520 seats. What makes it special is that guests can clearly see and hear the artists from anywhere. The technical capabilities of this stage are extremely wide; mechanisms and devices allow the most daring artistic ideas to be realized on it. The interior of the theater is impressive: panels, mosaics, stained glass windows are beautiful and original.

During its existence, the repertoire of this famous troupe presented more than 300 performances based on the works of Russian and foreign classics, outstanding contemporary playwrights. For more than twenty years - from 1935 to 1958, the theater was directed by Alexei Dmitrievich Popov, it was he who staged performances here that became classics, “The Wide Steppe”, “A Long Time Ago”, “Commander Suvorov”. The actors beloved by entire generations of theatergoers shone on the TsATRA stage: Pyotr Konstantinov, Lyubov Dobrzhanskaya, Alexander Khokhlov, Andrei Popov, Nina Sazonova, Lyudmila Kasatkina. The main directors of the theater, Yu. Zavadsky, R. Goryaev, A. Dunaev, Yu. Eremin, L. Heifetz, staged outstanding performances.

Today, the repertoire of the famous stage includes many productions of different genres, which invariably run to full houses. The theater's chief director, Boris Morozov, managed to assemble the strongest creative team. Spectators admire the roles of Vladimir Zeldin, Nikolai Pastukhov, Lyudmila Chursina, Larisa Golubkina, Alina Pokrovskaya, Yuri Komissarov and many, many other talented actors, again and again becoming guests of this wonderful 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 theatrical culture Red Army, the theater must serve the great architectural monument heroic army of the country of socialism, a monument that will exist for many, many centuries. Therefore, the theater building was 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." - "Technology for Youth" magazine, 1940.

Walk past a building that some historians say is iconic in Soviet architecture(the beginning of the Stalinist Empire style), we could not. And one summer night they tried to get inside unnoticed. Knowing that the theater belongs to the Ministry of Defense and it hosts military service according to the call, 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, back when Russian Empire, but after 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 transferred to the management of the Soviet side. But in 1929, China captured the Chinese Eastern Railway. Now the Red Army has to clearly explain to the Chinese that they don’t need to do this, and in two and a half months they are satisfied complete destruction Chinese troops and regains control of 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 Soviet authority after months of negotiations, he 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 - Cultural Center Armed Forces 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, were symbolized, with royal 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, a new style receives party approval and the term is voiced for the first time - socialist realism.

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 vestibule of the Krasnopresnenskaya metro station, the Sochi marine terminal, the railway station building in Voronezh, the planning of the residential district of Khimki - Khovrino, participated in the development Master plan on 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), received the Grand Prix at International exhibition 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. Was awarded the order Red Banner of Labor and Stalin Prize 2 degrees. 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 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 "Elektrosila" supplied the theater with motors; Kharkov Electromechanical Plant - complex electrical equipment; Moscow plant "Metro" performed external fittings, metal hangers, marble work; Malo-Vishersky Glass factory made the colored glass and all the art 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 in theatrical productions it will be possible to use real military equipment. 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 needed a large number of electricity. That's why 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 hosted large-scale reconstruction, for updating electrical equipment. Over 6 months of work, over 300 kilometers of cable were laid to connect staging lighting, electroacoustics and video projection equipment.

14. Don't last role Marshal of the Soviet Union K.E. Voroshilov played a 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 appearance theater, the marshal had an attitude. 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. During its history, Central academic theater The Russian Army (the 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). Games are also held in the large hall of the Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army (CATRA). major league KVN.

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 events are held at the theater holiday events Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, celebrated anniversary dates branches and branches of the RF Armed Forces, Main and Central Directorates of the RF Ministry of Defense. 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 creative staff, among which: People's Artists of the USSR V.M. Zeldin, L.A. Chursina, 13 People's Artists Russian Federation, 22 Honored Artists of the Russian Federation and 6 Honored Cultural Workers of the Russian Federation. A number of artists are noted State awards, 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 seems complete, a number of architectural elements was not built 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. Not installed sculptural composition"October", above the central pediment of the theater. And on the five upper corners of the building there are not enough sculptures depicting different kinds 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.

A striking architectural design, the grandiose dimensions of the building and the main hall, impressive stage capabilities and a special organization of events - under the control of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. All voiced - Central in Moscow.

About the theater

The theater of the then Red Army began its glorious activity in 1930. It was decided to make its home a striking masterpiece of the Stalinist Empire style - a building in the shape of a huge five-pointed star, designed by V. N. Simbirtsev and K. S. Alabyan. It was put into operation ten years later - in 1940.

If you look at the diagram Great Hall Theater of the Russian Army, then there is no doubt that it is recognized as the largest among all the halls of the world's drama theaters. 6 floors high, designed for more than 1.5 thousand spectators, it is remembered by everyone who has been here. The stage, recognized as the largest in Europe, also deserves special attention; here it is possible to unfold a natural battle scene, and for an entire military unit to line up, and even to drive a car freely.

You can buy tickets for performances, performances, concerts and other events both at the theater box office and online on its official website and at virtual ticket offices.

The layout of the Great Hall of the Russian Army Theater further demonstrates its scale and grandeur. But the greatest pride is the troupe, the team of stage directors.

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 numerous sports teams himself high level, 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 large hall, accommodating 1900 spectators, is the most spacious 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 on 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 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. IN different time The theater actors were Vladimir Soshalsky, Boris Plotnikov, Evgeny Steblov, Alexander Domogarov. Leading actors modern theater The Russian army is Vladimir Zeldin, Fedor Chenkhankov, Lyudmila Chursina, Lyudmila Kasatkina.

IN modern repertoire theater - 19 performances, among which there are Russian classics (works by A. Ostrovsky), and 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!