Playbill

26 April 1881

Paper, printing

62х47,7

The spring flood of 1881 caused severe destruction in Vyksa. On 11 April, the force of the water and ice breached the dam and destroyed the metallurgical plant; the disaster inflicted enormous damage on the town. The disaster prompted a response from the municipal theatre of Nizhny Novgorod. The charity evening brought together a visiting troupe of actors under the direction of M.K. Pyatunin and local amateur dramatic performers. A poster has survived advertising Trofimov’s comedy “V zolochenoy kletke” and Lensky’s vaudeville “Prostushka i vospitannaya”, explicitly stating that the performance was held “for the benefit of those in Vyksa affected by the flood”. Ticket prices were fairly high: a box cost 10 rubles, front-row seats 2 rubles 50 kopecks, and standing-room admission 20 kopecks. For comparison, local statistical committee data on essential clothing items show that boots cost about 2 rubles at the time, while a sheepskin coat cost 7 rubles 25 kopecks.

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