August marked the completion of renovation of the Russian Theatre which had undergone a major interior and exterior overhaul lasting 18 months. The updated Russian Theatre is more sumptuous and radiant than ever before. The theatre’s actors can again enjoy performing on their home stage, and excellent new working conditions.

Every corner of the theatre was renovated ahead of the August 10 re-opening. According to the preliminary plans, the opening was to take place on International Theatre Day, March 27; however, the work took much longer than expected. The cost for the theatre’s construction and renovation work and the new stage equipment totalled 138 million kroons.

The work at the theatre was very thorough, involving the entire building from the façade and roof to the backyard and cellars. The newer section of the building located behind the stage was demolished and rebuilt from the ground up. The new addition includes a 150-seat black box, rehearsal halls and actors’ rooms, studios for the preparation of scenery and costumes, and a spacious room for the use of guest directors, artists, and actors who come from abroad for longer periods.

The old section of the theatre building and the furnishings are protected historical landmarks. Therefore, this section was not reconstructed but rather renovated. In the golden interior of the 630-seat theatre, the chandeliers, loges, and red velvet chairs underwent a thorough restoration. During the course of the restoration, many valuable fragments of history were found. For instance, in the Fireplace Hall, where the audience promenades during intermission, beautiful murals and ceiling paintings, and even a fake window overlooking a couple walking in a garden, appeared from under the coats of paint. The fireplace itself became entirely visible – a bar previously hid it. The latter now locates in the new section of the building.

The large hall of the theatre also has cinema equipment. The building, which initially operated as a cinema, will soon have an opportunity to be used for its original purpose, because the theatre is one of the locales for this year’s Black Nights Film Festival. In the basement of the theatre a cosy 50-seat café-restaurant Art Imperia is located. Every Saturday at 9 pm, musicians or actors from the theatre perform on the restaurant’s stage. One can also have lunch at the Art Imperia, since it is open from noon to midnight.

On the opening day, the first premiere of the season was performed – The King is Cold, a satiric drama by Estonian classic A. H. Tammsaare. In September, there were three premieres, and October and December will see another six new productions. In December, two performances for children will also be added to the programme. By the end of the year, the theatre’s programme will include 13 performances. Besides the two main stages, the theatre’s corridor is used as an incidental third stage, where productions by young directors are performed. To date, Gotcha, a drama by Barry Keefe, is the only work to be presented in this alternative space, known as the Garage.

Naturally, the performances in the Russian Theatre are in Russian, and only few have Estonian translations. However, concerts and other events also take place there, for which there is no language barrier. In any case, it is worth making a visit to this impressive building.

The older section of the theatre building was completed in 1926 by project of Latvian architect Fridrihs Skujins. Until 1944, the luxury cinema Gloria Palace occupied the house and thereafter, temporarily the Estonia Theatre, whose building was seriously damaged during the war. In 1948, the house was given to the Russian-language theatre that had just been established. A simple mathematical calculation shows that in 2008, Estonia’s only professional Russian-language theatre will be 60 years old.

More information on the programme, tickets, and restaurant:
Russian Theatre, Vabaduse väljak 5
www.veneteater.ee, info@veneteater.ee