Saint Petersburg

Gorky Academic Bolshoi Drama Theatre

1964-1991

Over the years the theatre has had the following names: 1918–1931 – Bolshoi Drama Theatre 1932–1963 – Gorky Bolshoi Drama Theatre 1964–1991 – Gorky Academic Bolshoi Drama Theatre Since 1992 – Tovstonogov Academic Bolshoi Drama Theatre In 1964, the theatre was awarded the honorary title of “Academic” in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the dramatic arts. This period marked the zenith of Georgy Tovstonogov’s creative work: the director had led the BDT since 1956 and transformed it into one of the main drama theatres of the USSR. Tovstonogov’s productions were distinguished by their profound psychological depth, innovative staging, and exceptional acting. During this time, he directed Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” and “Uncle Vanya”, Gorky’s “The Philistines”, Gogol’s “The Government Inspector”, “The Story of a Horse” based on Tolstoy’s novella “Kholstomer”, “Quiet Flows the Don” by Sholokhov, “An Optimistic Tragedy” by Vishnevskiy, and Molière’s “Tartuffe” (designed by David Borovsky). The theatre troupe included Kirill Lavrov, Oleg Basilashvili, Tatyana Doronina, Innokenty Smoktunovsky, Sergey Yursky, Svetlana Kryuchkova, Yuri Demich, Vladislav Strzhelchik, and Pavel Luspekayev. Stage designers who collaborated with the theatre included David Borovsky, Semyon Mandel, Sofia Yunovich. Tovstonogov’s long-standing collaboration with the artist Eduard Kochergin, however, was of particular significance. The Bakhrushin Theatre Museum’s online collection features posters, playbills, along with costume and set design sketches from the BDT’s productions between 1964 and 1991.