Tobolsk drama theatre

Tobolsk drama theatre is by right considered the oldest in Siberia. First records on performances in Tobolsk can be dated 1705, and were organized by metropolitan Phylopheum to visualize Biblical stories and to make God’s behests more available for people. In 1743 a theological seminary was opened, whose teachers and students also participated in performances. Sometimes secular plays were staged. First paying performances began to get started in Tobolsk, which could be regarded as an initial indication of a professional theatre.

An important role in development of the theatre was played by an advanced governor A. Alyabjev, farther of a well-known composer. Under his initiative a producer Vigant was invited from Perm to deliver lessons in acting. At that time exiled Radishev visited the theatre three times, and through his notes the life of the theater can be guessed. A famous fairy-teller Piotr Ershov was the first in Russia to get Fonvizin’s play “A young ignoramus’ staged in Tobolsk. Ershov also acted as a playwright for the theatre. In 1885 a Theatrical Society was organized in Tobolsk On its initiative and on people’s donations a building for the theatre called ‘Public Auditorium’ was constructed and officially opened in 1899. A new building was often called ‘a wonderful tower’, since it was built in a folk style popular at that time. Over a long period it had been considered the most beautiful decoration in the town and a real pearl of wooden architecture in Siberia. In 1988 the last performance was held in the building. The theatre was moved in another premises. It was believed that after repair a theatrical museum would be located there. But the plans were in vain. A unique building was destroyed by fire in 1990.

By the middle of the XXth century the Tobolsk Drama theatre had become the most tour-going in this country. Over the navigation period the theater went on tours along the Tyumen North. Apart from big cities in Siberia and Ural, the theatre would visit remote countryside settlements, thus acting as an intermediary between modern culture and folk traditions. The Tobolsk theater, named after Piotr Ershov, can be by right considered a public theater. Alongside with classical performances modern plays are staged here, and directors and producers from all over the country are invited to Tobolsk.