The grand neoclassical mansion before you whispers tales of gambling dens and revolutionary theatre. This is the Lensovet Theatre a vibrant heart beating within the city’s cultural pulse.
The Lensovet Theatre’s story is one of resilience and transformation. It began as the New Theatre in 1933 under the tutelage of Isaac Kroll a student of the renowned V E Meyerhold. The theatre’s early years were marked by the shadow of Stalinist repression. Kroll’s innovative approach labeled as “Meyerholdism” led to his dismissal. Boris Mikhailovich Sushkevich took the reins bringing his own disciples.
The theatre’s first home a building acquired by the Lensovet on Nevsky Prospekt met a tragic end in a devastating fire. Undeterred the city council provided a new space on Rubinshteina Street. This building now houses a children’s theatre.
The Second World War forced a dramatic intermission. The Lensovet Theatre troupe then known as the New Theatre was touring the Soviet Far East. They remained there to escape the brutal siege of Leningrad.
In 1945 the troupe triumphantly returned to Saint Petersburg. They found their present home at 12 Vladimirski Prospekt. The building a historic mansion built in 1828 for the Korsakov family served as a gambling house after financial misfortune. Following the Russian Revolution it was transformed into a “revolutionary theatre”. Subsequent renovations transformed it into the grand venue we see today.
Sushkevich’s death in 1946 ushered in an era of changing artistic directors. Nikolay Akimov’s tenure saw a refreshed repertoire and the introduction of the first Soviet musical Spring in Moscow. This era marked the theatre’s official renaming to the Lensovet Academic Theatre in 1953. The name refers to the Leningrad Council of People’s Deputies.
Igor Petrovich Vladimirov another influential director shaped the theatre’s identity until 1996. He added a smaller stage expanding the theatre’s capabilities. Vladislav Borisovich Pazi succeeded him. His leadership brought in young stars including Konstantin Khabensky and Mikhail Porechenkov. Their performances garnered widespread recognition and awards.
The Lensovet Theatre continues its legacy today. The building itself is a testament to Saint Petersburg’s history. Its walls have witnessed countless performances. They’ve echoed with the laughter and tears of generations of actors and audiences. It remains a cherished institution. A vital part of the city’s rich artistic tapestry. Step inside and let the spirit of this historic theatre transport you.