Kazan

State Academic Russian Bolshoi Drama Theater named after Vasily Kachalov

since 1996

The history of the theatre traces back to 1791, when one of the first in provincial Russia public theatres was established in Kazan. As early as the 18th century, theatrical culture flourished within the walls of the Kazan Theological Seminary and Gymnasium, where tragedies by Alexander Sumarokov were staged. In the 19th century, Kazan emerged as one of the leading centers of Russia’s provincial theatre scene. Legendary actors such as Mikhail Shchepkin, Pavel Mochalov, and Vasily Zhivokini performed on its stage. A particularly vibrant era began under the management of impresario Pyotr Medvedev (1867–1888). It was in Kazan that future stars like Maria Savina, Vladimir Davydov, Polina Strepetova, and Alexander Lensky started their careers. The great Moscow Art Theatre actor Vasily Kachalov, a native of Kazan, began his professional career on this very stage in 1897. In 1948, the theatre was renamed in his honor. Following the 1917 Revolution, the theatre became state-owned. After a fire destroyed its original building, the company moved in 1919 into a new venue on Prolohnaya Street (now Baumana Street), where it remains today. During the Soviet period, the theatre solidified its reputation as Tatarstan’s premier Russian-language drama stage, upholding the traditions of psychological realism and a classical repertoire. In 1996, it was awarded the honorary title of “Academic.” Today, the theatre continues to balance classic works with contemporary drama, remaining a vital cultural institution of both Kazan and Russia. The collection of the BakhrushinTheatre Museum includes posters, photographs, costume and set design sketches, and other materials documenting the history of the Bolshoi Drama Theatre named after Vasily Kachalov.