The city's prestige

A European Class Theatre is Just Two Steps from Nevsky Prospect.
Its Prestige Means Prestige for the City

Vadim Kruchina

        Many posters have changed on house № 18, Troitsky street, now Rubenstein street. Here, just two steps from Nevsky prospect, is one of the most popular theatres on the banks of the Neva - the Malyi Dramatic Theatre (MDT), directed by Lev Dodin.
        Formally, it has the status of a regional theatre. However recently the theatre's guilded sign along the frieze had two new words added: "Theatre of Europe." Last fall the Eighteenth General Assembly of International Union of Drama Theatres bestowed this title on the Malyi. Performances by the MDT troupe have gained popular recognition not only in St. Petersburg and Leningrad region, but also in all of Russia.
        It has performed on nearly every continent, and there is always a full house. This is how the world's press has responded to MDT performances: "Deeply Moving," "Played from the bottom of the soul," "Burning Dramatic Thrill," "Cream of the Crop," "A Triumph of Russian Theatre."
        One critic attributed the success of the theatre not to the professionalism of its producers and the talent of its actors, but rather to a heightened interest in "Russian exotics". Lev Dodin has referred to these words as a "silly excuse to see notorious Russian exotics where there are none". He went on to say that, "today Russian exotics are more scary than attractive. The times when Russian restaurants, babushkas and balalaikas were in fashion are gone forever. Abroad, just like at home, people seek authenticity and sincerity in art. No one could trap people and make them patiently sit and watch a performance which lasts hours and hours, like the play adapted from Dostoevsky's The Possessed which lasts ten hours, unless what's happening on the stage is in accord with the audience, their thoughts, strivings and aspirations. The actors do not simply go through the notions of their roles, but share with the world their personal attitudes to today's moral and spiritual values with a rare passion and sincerity." The director claims that the secret of the theatre's great success in Paris, London, Brussels, Amsterdam, and St. Petersburg is the MDT's authenticity and sincerity in performing. "Our performances are not exactly meant for export," he notes, "they are meant first of all for our own audience who deeply feel and appreciate them".
        In the world of drama theatres there is no higher title than "Theatre of Europe." Lev Dodin's Dramatic Theatre is only the third one after the "Odeon" of Paris and the "Piccolo" theatre of Milan to be honored with this title. Immediately after the award was handed to them, both the Parisian and the Milan theatre received financial support from the governments of France and Italy. The MDT did not even get as much as official congratulation from the Russian government. Yet the prestige of the theatre means prestige for the city, the region, and the country. It represents the highest achievement of the Russian drama school.
        Strange as it may sound, the status of the Malyi Dramatic Theatre is ambiguous. It is regional by status and European by recognition. This means that the theatre is justified in expecting financial support from both the region and the city, as well as counting on the federal budget and the financial backing of sponsors who are concerned with the spiritual values of Russia.
        Unfortunately, however, reality is different and there are very few sponsors for the MDT. One of the exceptions is Kirishinefteorgsintez, the major oil company that has for years now helped the theatre, and, as notes Vadim Somov, its general director, also financed repair work and installation of modern equipment in the theatre in Kirishi which housed the MDT when it performed there.
        Today the Malyi Dramatic Theatre has a modern stage fully equipped for any kind of performance. The theatre opened its 55th season with Chevengur by Platonov, Dodin's latest premier. It was shown to great acclaim earlier last year in Weimar, Germany.