Riga Russian Theatre is the oldest professional theatre of Latvia and the oldest Russian drama theatre outside of Russian Federation. In 2003 the theatre turned 120 years.
First season in Riga opened on October the second 1883. There were sixteen actors in the company at that time, the season opened with the play by I. Shpazinsky “ Major’s wife” this play was very popular at that time. Entrepreneur of the theatre E. Lavrov boldly produced major Russian and World classical plays. The Theatre has produced sixty new plays during the first season.
Artistic level of the productions was steadily increasing, and many of the performances, especially during the time of A.Fadeev, have created long-lasting impressions.
Best years of Russian Theatre in Riga before the Revolution of 1917 are tied to the activities of the famous entrepreneur K.N. Nezlobin. He has done a lot in order to induce culture of theatre, to intensify theatre’s creative and social roles, and to establish principles of the stage realism in Riga’s theatre. His actions were fundamental in creating magnificent acting troupe that was capable of achieving new and interesting creative goals.
“Snowgirl” by Ostrovsky, “Three Sisters” and “ uncle Vanya” by Chekhov, “Idiot” by Dostoyevsky, “ Power of darkness” by Leo Tolstoy, “ A month in the countryside” by Turgenev- all of those plays were produced by the young company. Nezlobin was looking for talented directors, because he believed that future of the theatre lies in the so-called “Director’s theatre”. He found a young director- K.A.Marazhanov. At that time this amazing artist was directing performances, those were very deep in thought and very rich in execution.
Thanks to the wonderful direction, strong actor’s ensemble, thoughtfully created repertoire, Riga Russian Theatre becomes one of the best provincial theatres of Russian Empire. This theatre is a school of principles of realism that strives to reach truths of life in its performances, but does not forget about importance of theatricality. “All classes of the society are talking about Russian theatre, and this opens wide street for the development of Russian culture in the Baltic” wrote newspaper “ New Time” at this period.
New period in creative life of theatre started in 1921. Troupe was lead by M. Muratov, who have brought many famous actors into the theatre. Strong troupe, enriched by talents of such actors as E.Marsheva, E.Roshina-Isaeva, E.Zhihareva, E.Polevickaya, M.Vedrinskaya, L.Melnikova, E.Bunchuk, G.Terehova, V.Lihacheva, N.Barabanova, Y.Yurovsky, K. Tokazhevich was created. The Theatre has three major directors working on its stage at that time. Those directors are: former director of Moscow Art Theatre A.Lavrentev, K.Nezlobin and Y.Yakovlev. Set design was created by wonderful artists S.Antonov and Y.Rykovsky.
Stage of Riga Russian Theatre at different times was adorned by talents of such artists as D.Zerkalova, S.Arbenina, E.Granovskaya, G.Hmara, V.Papazyan, A.Gaidarov, A. Baratov, V.Kachalov and M.Chekhov.
Writers were also paying a lot of attention to the theatre. Arkady Averchenko and Aleksy Tolstoy have participated in the creative life of the theatre.
When Latvia was annexed to the USSR in 1941, creative life of the theatre had to endure sudden changes. Ideological pressure and control of the Party were new to the theatre and were limiting its capabilities. However the company tried its best to preserve their traditions.
Theatre did not function during the Second World War. But right after the war was over theatre reinvented itself with new energy. The recreation of the presence of Russian theatre in Latvia happened for the mot part because of the work of the talented directors V.Baluny, S.Radlova, P.Homenskoy.
From 1963 Arkady Katz becomes the head director of Riga Russian Theatre. For 25 years he has been working in the theatre applying his aesthetic principles to reach new results in the artistic and social relevance of the theatre in the lives of its audience. He has put major emphasis on the repertoire as a unit. Arkady Katz believed that repertoire for a year should be connected by one bright thought or problem, and that all the productions are touching upon. He was interested in the theme of the relationship between an individual and society. Such performances as “Joan d’Arque” by Upit, “Conversations with Socrates” by Radzinsky, “Night Novel” by K.Hoinsky were connected with this theme. Productions directed by Arkady Katz were deep in their ideas, laconic, and were asking acute social questions. Theatre was also looking for new interpretations of classical works. Unconventional productions of “ King Lear” by Shakespeare, “Cherry orchard” by Chekhov, “Hamlet” by Shakespeare, “ Inspector General” by Gogol got a lot of recognition to the theatre.
Thanks to the high standards of direction, clear thematically aimed repertoire, good level of acting mastery of the company creative successes of the theatre received wide acknowledgement. Riga Russian Theatre has received many awards on festivals. For four times theatre was acknowledges as the best company in Latvia.
In 1988 Katz left theatre, and L.Belavsky headed the theatre. By that time sociopolitical situation in the republic has changed radically. There was the need to develop new creative program in the new environment. Flexible, disposed to scenic expressionism and production variety directorial signature of L. Belavsky aimed to increase emotional impact of performances on the public. The most important productions of that period include:” Chonkin” by V.Voinovich, “Fiancй from Jerusalem” by J.Bayer-Joseph, “A Month in the countryside” by I. Turgenev, “ Trina’s sins” by Blaumanis, “ Let Plague take both of your houses” by G. Gorin, “Naked King” by E. Shwartz. Director S. Losev also worked in the theatre at that time. His productions are noted for the deep psychological development of the characters. His has directed such plays as “ People and Mice” by Steinbeck, “ “Game with a cat” I. Erkin, “ French passions in the Moscow’s suburb”.
Since 1996 Theatre is experienced times of creative freedom and is continuing preserving its traditions, but not forgetting about innovations that are an important part of any creativity. Riga Russian Theatre is a home for many productions that are directed by such stars of contemporary theatre as Roman Viktyk, Gennady Trostyanetsky, Helen Nevezhina. Theatre is also quite successful on the international and national festivals arena.
In October 2003 Riga Russian Theatre has celebrated its 120th birthday. As a present to its audience Theatre in collaboration with Edinburgh Theatre Festival has brought to the stage Chekhov’s comedy “Seagull” directed by the living legend of European Theatre Piter Stein. This project was one of the most important events in the cultural life of Latvia.
In the future Riga Russian Theatre plans to preserve its traditions and continue to bring world-class theatre to the Riga’s audience.