Moscow

Evg. Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre

с 1956

Evgeny Vakhtangov, a student of Konstantin Stanislavsky, enters the world of professional theatre in the era of wars and revolutions of the early twentieth century. In this crucial for the whole world period theatre is also changing radically: the focus is shifting from drama to the role of the director-interpreter. These changes were influenced, among other things, by “new drama”, which was conquering the world stage at the same time. Evgeny Vakhtangov got his own theatre in 1914. Moscow students, who wanted to stage an amateur performance and further develop in professional acting, considered him as a talented director. They appreciated his sufficient knowledge and skills that allowed to lead the troupe. Thus, by 1921, The Third Moscow Art Theatre studio appeared, which today is known as Evg. Vakhtangov Theatre. The opening of The Third Art Theatre was marked by the play “The Miracle of St. Anthony”. Shortly after “Princess Turandot” that was staged in 1922 became a symbol of Vakhtangov Theatre. In Soviet times, the main directors of the theatre were Ruben Simonov, and later his son Evgeny Simonov. From the second half of the 1980s and until 2007, the theatre was directed by Mikhail Ulyanov. Ulyanov's successor was Rimas Tuminas, whose performances became hits of the Vakhtangov Theatre: “Oedipus the King", “Eugene Onegin", “War and Peace" and many others. In the collection of our museum, you can find many items related to different historical periods of the Evg. Vakhtangov Theatre, including posters, programs and costume sketches for iconic theatre’s performances: “Princess Turandot”, “Virineya”, “Antony and Cleopatra”, “Richard III” etc.