Azerbaijan State Academic Russian Drama Theatre facts for kids
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Səməd Vurğun adına Azərbaycan Dövlət Rus Drama Teatrı
Азербайджанский государственный русский драматический театр имени Самеда Вургуна |
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| Address | Xaqani Avenue, 7 Baku  Azerbaijan |
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| Coordinates | 40°22′20.71″N 49°50′26.70″E / 40.3724194°N 49.8407500°E |
| Type | Theatre |
| Construction | |
| Rebuilt | 2010 |
| Years active | Since 1937 |
The Samed Vurgun Azerbaijan State Russian Drama Theatre is a famous place for plays in Baku, Azerbaijan. It puts on shows mainly in the Russian language. Most of the plays are from Russian writers. But they also perform works by Azerbaijani and European classic authors.
Contents
History of the Theatre
Early Beginnings (Late 1800s)
Around the late 1800s, Russian acting groups started performing a lot in Baku. One of the most well-known groups was led by Polonsky. This group performed at the Tagiyev’s Theater for over twenty years. They had a regular schedule, costumes, and decorations. They put on shows five days a week. On Fridays, other Azerbaijani theater groups could rent the Tagiyev Theater building.
Challenges and New Starts (Early 1900s)
In February 1918, a big fire badly damaged the theater building. After this, Polonsky's group started to break apart. In the spring of 1920, a Russian theater group called "Yarasa" visited Baku. But in April of that year, the group split up because of the Red Army's arrival. Some actors stayed in Baku and did not go back to Russia.
The Birth of "Satiragit"
A new theater was created in Baku called the State Theater of Independent Criticism and Entertainment ("Satiragit"). It used local actors to share Soviet ideas. Their first show was on December 20, 1920.
The early shows included short, fun pieces like "Lenin's Rhapsody" and "Parrot." The theater often changed its shows and regularly toured worker areas in Baku. In 1923, the Baku City Executive Committee renamed it the Baku Workers' Theater.
Growing as a Workers' Theater
On October 25, the play "The City in the Ring" was performed for the first time at the theater. New actors from Moscow, Odessa, and Irkutsk joined the group. These included S. Taneyev, K. Lavretsky, and N. Snezhina. The theater mostly showed plays about the Soviet revolution and foreign dramas. Important plays included "Lyubov Yarovaya" and "Armored train 14-69."
In 1924, a training studio for actors opened at the Baku Workers Theater. Professionals like V. Fedorov and S. Maiorov (directors) and M. Zharov (actor) led it. More talented actors like Faina Ranevskaya also joined the group.
Awards and New Names
In 1930, the theater received the Red Flag Order. This award was for its great work in sharing revolutionary ideas. The theater slowly changed its style and types of plays. In 1937, it was renamed the Azerbaijan State Red Banner Theater of Russian Drama.
The theater started touring many cities in the Soviet Union. Directors like D. Gutman and A. Ivanov helped create amazing shows.
Named After a Poet
In 1956, the theater was named after the famous poet and playwright Samad Vurgun.
From the 1960s to the 1980s, the theater performed many works by writers like G. Akhmedova-Martynova and R. Ibragimbekov. New actors joined the team, including M. Yagizarov, L. Dukhovnaya, and A. Sharovsky.
The Russian Drama Theater, named after Samad Vurgun, has received two Orders of the Red Banner of Labor.
Types of Plays Performed
The theater performs different kinds of plays:
- Plays by famous writers from around the world.
- Plays by classic Russian writers.
- New plays by modern writers from Russia and other countries.
- Plays by classic and modern Azerbaijani writers.
Some plays by Azerbaijani authors include "Horsepower" by Mirza Fatali Akhundzade and "Vagif" by Samad Vurgun.
What the Theatre Does
The theater mainly performs plays by famous Russian writers like Tolstoy, Pushkin, and Chekhov. They also stage works by Azerbaijani writers such as Jafar Jabbarli and Mirza Fatali Akhundov. Plus, they perform plays by other world classics like Shakespeare and Molière. All these plays are performed in Russian.
The theater puts on shows not just for adults, but also for children!
Tours Around the World
On October 25, 2013, the Azerbaijan State Russian Drama Theater visited Moscow. The actors performed a funny play called "Monsieur Jordan and Dervish Mesteli Shah" by Mirza Fatali Akhundzade. They performed it at the Russian State Academic Theater. After this, the theater group also toured Vilnius, which is in Lithuania.
In 2015, the theater traveled to St. Petersburg. There, they performed "Masquerade" by Mikhail Lermontov and "Phaedra" by Jean Racine. They put on these shows at the State Satire Theater on Vasilevsky.
Directors
- Alexander Sharovsky - A very talented director, known as a People's Artist of Azerbaijan.
- Iran Tagi-zade - An Honored Artist of Azerbaijan.
Talented Actors
People's Artists of Azerbaijan
These actors have received a high honor for their great work:
- Haji Muradov Yagizarov
- Lyudmila Duxovnaya
- Evgenia Nevmerzhitskaya
- Safa Mirzahasanov
- Mabud Maherramov
- Alexandra Nikushina
- Fakhraddin Manafov
- Natalia Sharovskaya
Honored Artists of Azerbaijan
These actors are also highly recognized for their skills:
- Natalia Balieva
- Ayan MirKasimova
- Fuad Osmanov
- Firdovsi Atakishiyev
- Melek Abbaszadeh
- Elena Spitsina
- Naina Ibragimova
- Elmira Aslanova
Other Actors
The theater has many other talented actors, including:
- Maria Dubovitskaya
- Boris Brodsky
- Natavan Hajiyeva
- Yaroslav Trifonov
- Hajar Agayeva
- Zaur Teregulov
- Farida Nesterenko
- Murad Mammadov
- Elshad Murtuzov
- Bella Safina
- Teymur Rahimov
- Oleg Amirbekov
- Rufat Nazarov
- Joseph Tkach
- Maksud Mammadov
- Salman Bayramov
- Madina Mullaeva
- Natik Huseynov
- Yagub Zeynalov
- Lyudmila Saprykina
- Zumrud Mammadova
- Alexey Saprykin
- Inna Imranova
- Maya Vorobzhanska
- Maryam Adygozalova
Painters
- Alexander Fedorov (Honored Worker of Culture of Azerbaijan)
- Olga Abbasova (Honored Worker of Culture of Azerbaijan)
What's Playing?
Plays for Adults
The theater performs many different plays for older audiences. Some examples include:
- Athens evenings
- Ali and Nino
- Pride and Prejudice
- Masquerade
- The Brothers Karamazov
- Monsieur Jordan, a learned botanist, and dervish Mastalishah, the famous sorcerer by M.F Akhundzadeh
- Seven beauties by Nizami Ganjavi
Plays for Children
The theater also has special shows for younger audiences:
- By the Pike Command, a fairy tale by Valentina Reznikova.
- Guess a fairy tale-1, a fairy tale by Vladimir Neverov.
- Guess a fairy-tale-5, a fairy tale by Vladimir Neverov.
Images for kids
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The Azerbaijan State Russian Drama Theatre building.
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The theatre at night.
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Inside the Azerbaijan State Russian Drama Theatre.
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Another view inside the theatre.
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See also
In Spanish: Teatro Estatal Academico Ruso de Drama de Azerbaiyán para niños
- Theatre in Azerbaijan
- Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre
- Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators
