Kherson Regional Academic Music and Drama Theatre named after Mykola Kulish

General Director - Artistic Leader of the Theatre - Oleksandr A. Knyha

Kherson Regional Academic Music and Drama Theatre named after Mykola Kulish is a valuable pearl of modern theatrical art of Ukraine that has celebrated 70th anniversary recently, although its history is oldest. The sources of the theatre arrive 30th years of XIX century, when the theatre was opened in the house of General Lebri in Kherson. Afterwards, in 1883, the city council made decision about building of separate spaces for the theatre, which opening was held in April 1, 1889.
And however the history of theatre officially takes beginning from 1936, when by order of the Odessa theatre-entertaining department (Kherson entered Odessa Region at that time) the Kherson City Music and Drama Theatre was organised from the group of actors of the Youth Odessa Movable Theatre, representatives of working youth, graduating students of theatrical school and separate artists of Kherson theatres. First play of the theatre – «Winners of death» (play of V. Vlasov) was held in November 6, 1936. This day is considered the day of birth of the theatre. Since that time the theatre began to write the newest history, which had ups and downs indisputably. Without regard to all confusions the theatre collective deservedly passed the difficult way overcoming barriers on the way one by one. There were difficulties (in particular, during Great Patriotic War the wonderful building of the theatre was destroyed unfortunately); however there were many great achievements. In particular, the Kherson theatre gave the Ukrainian theatre art many talented actors, producers, artists and musicians.
Therefore the history of the Kherson theatre is integral and bright page in the history of the Ukrainian theatre. The new stage in becoming of this establishment began with independence of Ukraine. Foremost the name of the talented Ukrainian dramatist, prominent countryman Mykola G. Kulish was appropriated to the theatre in 1990. From 2005 the theatre is academic. Now the collective of the theatre annually presents almost ten premieres to its admirers. For creation of new plays the theatre administration invites talented Ukrainian and foreign producers.
Having ancient and glorious history, the collective of the theatre masters new forms of work with audience. With the purpose of popularization of the theatre, rising of its authority, acquaintance of audience with musical theatrical premieres and most interesting finds of Ukrainian theatres and theatres of neighbouring countries the International Theatre Festival «Melpomena of Tavria» was opened in 1999 and almost twenty best theatres of Ukraine, Russia, Byelorussia, Moldova, Hungary, Poland annually take part in it and others. The best theatrical figures, specialists in drama and theatrical criticisms of Ukraine are members of the festival jury. The jury determines and rewards the best actors and producers of plays. Except for the show of contest play, each of the invited collectives takes part in carnival by city streets and gala concerts devoted to opening and closing of the festival. During last ten years the Kherson theatre is not only active participant but also winner of many Ukrainian and international festivals.
In addition, the theatre put beginning of handing Annual Prize «Success» to the best actors, producers, musicians, artists and patrons of art. Year of 2007 became also the year of foundation of Actor Prize named after prominent countryman of Kherson, famous actor of contemporaneity, Folk Artist of the USSR Yevhen Matveev.
The collective of artistic establishment cares of problems of home town. City Day, holiday of street, calendar holidays, many festivals («Kupalski zori», «Oleshkivski zabavy»), holidays for children, creative meetings is not full list of measures, where glorious creative collective of the theatre (60 persons) actively participate. Among them there are three folk actors (V. Chornoshkur, A. Tolok and A.Manoylo), Folk Artist of Ukraine V. Balash, 11 honoured actors and it is especially important – talented youth. The competent creators of theatre plays are also its symphonic orchestra and ballet. Tireless generator of new ideas and creative searches during more than 70 years is Director and Artistic Leader of the Theatre, Deserved Worker of Culture of Ukraine Oleksandr A. Knyha put great efforts and energy for the spiritual revival of Ukraine.