In English

ABOUT THEATRE

Saint Petersburg “Priut komedianta” theatre was founded in 1987 by an actor of the Bolshoi Drama Theatre — Yuri Tomoshevskyi. It was that theatre where Yuri Tomoshevskyi’s dream came true when he created one-man theatre. Shortly after the theatre presented not only solo performances but also big drama productions involving famous Saint Petersburg actors, and “Priut komedianta” became one of the most favourite theatres among the citizens. In 1995 Viktor Minkov was appointed artistic director.

In 1997 the “Priut komedianta” theatre gained its own building in the centre of Saint Petersburg at Sadovaya, 27. In 2000 “Priut komedianta” became the first Russian state repertoire theatre without permanent stage company. A guest stage director forms a team of production managers and actors. Over the years performances were presented at the theatre and staged by outstanding directors such as Andrey Moguchy, Konstantin Bogomolov, Veniamin Filshtinsky, Mikhail Bychkov, Grigori Dityaykovsky, Maxim Didenko and so on. The "Priut komedianta’ theatre actively cooperates with young directors. Most recent “Priut komedianta” theatre’s performances determine “new Russian art direction” staged by Dmitry Volkostrelov, Semen Serzin, Marfa Gorvitz and others.

The most in-demand film and theatre actors, who are generally People’s and Merited Artists of Russia went on the theatre’s stage, among them are Ivan Krasko, Aleksandr Demyanenko, Tatyana Piletskaya, Zinaida Sharko, Galina Mochalova, Sergey Losev. Today’s theatre posters include popular names that are well known to audience from movies and TV shows. The theatre performances involve Dmitry Lysenkov, Merited Artists of Russia Daria Moroz, Alexander Novikov, Sergey Migitsko, Rosa Khayrullina, Marina Solopchenko, People’s Artists of Russia Valeriy Degtyar, Marina Ignatova, Olga Antonova and many others.

The repertoire includes a couple of dozens theatre productions from Russian and foreign classics to contemporary drama. The “Priut komedianta” theatre is known in Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Poland, France, Georgia, Serbia, Israel and Italy. Every year the theatre holds “St Petersburg theatre season” festival in European capitals. “Priut komedianta” actively supports performance arts development and as a result the theatre became a founder member of Russia’s first and only youth theatrical award “Proryv” (“Breakthrough”).

The “Priut komedianta” theatre repeatedly became the nominee and prizewinner of the Golden Mask National Theatre Award and St. Petersburg Higher Theatre Award “Golden Soffit”.

On 16th May, 2016 “Priut komedianta” opened its doors after a major renovation of scenic and production complexes, that lasted 11 months. The updated contemporary interiors, stage, auditorium, stage equipment turned the theatre into a trendy place located in the centre of cultural capital of Russia, where audience can find not only performances but other events interesting for citizens and tourists.

The “Priut komedianta” theatre is distinguished by careful choosing of the repertoire. Viktor Minkov thinks it is important not to disappoint sensitive and intelligent Saint Petersburg theatre-goers, and as a result the best pieces of Russian and foreign classics and the brightest contemporary drama plays are always included in the repertoire. Director’s and actor’s recognized skills turn every performance into a holiday.