Oleksandrivsky Theater

Oleksandrivsky Theater is a prominent center of culture and art of Kirovograd Oblast. The cultural pearl is the heart of the city, which will tell your everything about the town itself.

This work participates in the "Ukrainian brands in global trends" contest. How best to get to know the city, if not through its cultural gem? White tall columns, large panoramic windows through which the theater is so beautifully illuminated, high ceilings and walls that create excellent acoustics, exquisite decor - all these things cause a completely different feeling than just a visit to the theater. It is a journey in time and space to a place where you can get even closer to art.We are talking about the Palace of Culture "Oleksandrivsky Theater ", a beautiful architectural structure that pleases not only the eye but also the soul.Progressive constructionThe theater appeared in the 1880s as a warehouse or "barn" for grain. Despite this, even then it local amateur actors performed there. But it was not suitable for such purposes: the theater was wooden, with bad decorations. Therefore, the staff tried to make it better for spectators: a stage and a gallery and benches made of wooden boxes were created.In the 1890s, I. Tsyvchynsky bought this granary and demolished the old barn for future reconstruction. He did not hire architects or engineers, so everything was made not in appropriate way, even without construction plan. So there still were many problems: an unbuilt foyer, a small stage, an amphitheater and a mezzanine floor high above the benoir, which was stuffy and crowded. However, the new premises were radically different from the old grain storage.In 1902, the building of the theater was bought by the merchant Chibisov, who began a general restructuring to correct the mistakes of the previous owner. He hired the best architects to design the premises. The walls were made of hollow bricks, which created excellent acoustics. The floor and ceiling had a certain angle to the stage and the corners of the walls were rounded, which allowed the audience in the hall to hear well what the actors said on stage, even if they whispered. The construction took into account all the new trends in architecture at that time, so the kerosene lighting was changed for gas and later, in 1906 - for electricity.History through the centuriesThe history of Oleksandrivsky Theater is as long as the Dnipro River, there was an uncountable number of many famous actors.Oleksandrivsky Theater had a perfect location for traveling troupes of actors. The audience here was "theatrical" - they liked to visit theatrical plays. Thus, in the late XIX - early XX century, Oleksandrivsky Theater was one of the favorite cities of many stars, for example, Marko Kropyvnytskyi and Maria Zankovetska, Panas Saksagansky, Terentiy and Gnat Yura.From 1938, a professional theater worked there, which in 1940 was named after Mark Kropyvnytsky. During the Second World War, the theater premises were destroyed, only the outer walls remained, and the entire troupe of actors was evacuated to Turkmenistan, where they worked until the end of the war. After returning from the evacuation, the actors were redirected to the Kirovohrad Theater. After liberation from the invaders, people began to rebuild the city and also the theater. At the time of the reconstruction, the theater operated in the building of a local synagogue.The theater stage was not empty, local amateurs and touring artists performed there. But with years it again needed reparations and the workers of "Oleksandrivsky Electromechanical Plant" tried to do everything possible.After the restoration of the theater, it was given the name "Palace of Culture of Factory". At that time, the stage was used not only for classical plays but for puppet shows, concerts, creative performances of schoolchildren, discos.In 2000, the building was donated to the Oleksandrivsky Municipal Property Fund and subordinated to the Department of Culture of the City Council of Oleksandria. The theater building has been declared a cultural heritage in the category of local monuments. He later received the title of City Palace of Culture. In recent years, repairs have been carried out on the facade of the building and a detailed reconstruction of the premises from the inside.On April 2, 2021, the name of the theater was changed to Palace of Culture "Oleksandrivsky Theater". Today there are 4 folk groups: the folk choir "Kamerton", the folk dance ensemble "Vinochok", the folk vocal ensemble "Perlyna", the folk amateur choir "Veselka" and one exemplary group - the dance theater "Vulychnyi Balet".Oleksandrivsky Theater is important not only for the residents of the city but also for all Ukrainians because it is one of the places where the early theatrical art of central Ukraine (Kirovograd Oblast) was born. Therefore, I am glad to invite you to visit Oleksandrivsky Theater and see its beauty.List of literature:Bilaniuk Y. History of the Oleksandrivsky Theater // Alexandria Week. - 2001. - September 20. - С.2.Kokhan A. Coryphaeus of the Ukrainian theater on the Oleksandrivsky stage // Alexandrian Week. - 2007. - October 18. - С.4.Polulyakh S. Theatrical life of Oleksandria// Ukraine-center. - 2019. - №30. - С.7.Now Oleksandria legally has its own theater // Free speech. - 2021. - April 7. - С.2.Chebyshev V. And eternally young // Lenin's flag. - 1989. - April 22.Shklovsky A. About the theater and theater // Alexandria Week. - 2021. - August 12. - С.3.Photo by Diana Lanina