How the children's theater became a symbol of the cultural life of Kirzhach
Private children's theater "Sovyonok" is a real attraction of Kirzhach. And it's not just about the quality of the performances that are always sold out. It is also because, in principle, this is the only theater in the city, as well as the only children's theater in the entire Vladimir region. The founders of "Sovyonok" note that the theater has already become a centre of attraction not only for the residents of Kirzhach. People from the neighbouring towns also come to enjoy the premieres.
History of creation
"Sovyonok" opened its doors for spectators on January 5, 2019. But the idea of creating a cultural centre in the heart of Kirzhach was born back in 2014. At that time the head of OJSC Kirzhach Printing House, Evgeny Fedorov, decided to build a cultural and leisure centre in a historical building. At the beginning of the twentieth century, this two-storey brick building belonged to merchant Mikhail Maraev, a member of the city council on housing issues. It was a household store with a warehouse and an office. The merchant traded there with various materials for repairs - glass, lime, brick, felt, iron, nails, chalk, etc. After large-scale renovations, a cultural and leisure centre appeared on the site of the merchant's shop, which was named "Maraev's House" in memory of the previous owner. An exhibition hall and a children's theater function in the building with the modern design, lighting and equipment. Every month, works of local artists and guests of Kirzhach are exhibited here free of charge. Children's theater "Sovyonok" has a theater studio where professional directors train actors for future performances.
Why "Sovyonok"
The founder of the theater, Evgeny Sergeevich Fedorov, is not only a businessman and philanthropist but also a real storyteller. Since 2012, he has been publishing the series of books "The Tales of Kirzhach Land", which contains tales about the history of Kirzhach. The main character here is a white owlet (sovyonok) that flies over the city, gets acquainted with its history and geography. According to the legend, Sovyonok-33 is the great-grandson of that very owl with outstretched wings, which has adorned the coat of arms of Kirzhach for more than two hundred years. Catherine the Second herself made this bird a symbol of the city by her decree. The first performance based on "The Tales of Kirzhach Land" was staged three years ago. It was called "The Tale of the Magic Stone". Now the leading children's play in the repertoire is the musical fairy tale "Zaichushka" (directed by Galina Kudeleva). And from January the theater will start working over a new tale. Theatrical performances based on "The Tales" are a priority for the theater because the main goal of its creators is to promote children's theatrical creativity and the development of educational tourism in the Kirzhach region. We talked to the director of the theater Irina Glonina about the tasks facing "Sovyonok" and about the work on the performances.
- Today, a professional team has already been formed in "Sovyonok", although two years ago we were a platform for theatrical and musical groups from Kirzhach and nearby cities. We have three directors working with three age groups of actors.
The first steps on the stage of "Sovyonok" are made by kids from 6 years old under the leadership of Alexander Ryzhov. Alexander has the most difficult task - to teach how to focus the attention of little fidgets. He devotes a lot of time to the development of speech, stage moves and extending horizons.
Our new director Ekaterina Fomina is working with the actors of a quite complex age category, from 12 to 18. Ekaterina graduated from the Moscow State University of Culture and Art. She has been teaching theatrical skills for more than 15 years. Now she is working on a play based on "The Tales of Kirzhach Land". We will not disclose which of 15 fairy tales we are preparing. Let it be a surprise for our spectators.
Galina Kudeleva works with the elder age group. She knows like no one else how difficult it is to create the children's theater: Galina was the director of Sovyonok for four years. And now our adult troupe under the direction of Galina pleases the audience with bright comedy stories, professional acting and choreography. It is pleasant to note that spectators of 18+ category began to come to our cozy hall more actively, we are always sold out and it means that we are doing everything right.
For the sake of fairness, we will note that there are other creative associations in "Sovyonok": brass band (directed by Aleksey Derkachev), academic choir "Kirzhel" (directed by Yulia Mironyuk), vocal studio (directed by Alena Fedorova).
- We announce recruitment to the studios from time to time and everyone who wants to try comes to us. We do not divide children into talented and not very talented, there are no castings here. Selection takes place in a natural way: if the children do not want, do not have time, are burned out, they decide not to come themselves. In our theater, we do not have the goal to educate great actors who will devote their whole lives to theatrical creativity. During trainings and rehearsals, we nurture love in children for the magical atmosphere of the theater and we train their acting skills.
- How does the theatrical art help children?
- The play develops attention, speech, the ability to speak with confidence. After all, every person needs this. Sometimes children do not know how to focus because they are used to the background of a switched TV set, to the hustle and bustle at school. And we teach them to hear their partner, to feel the time, to take the right place on the stage - so that everyone can be seen. Theater is a collective action. You are responsible for the entire process that is taking place. We strive to ensure that children live in the world of beauty, play, fairy tales, surrounded by music, creativity. And play also is the most effective way to get rid of childhood fears. Unfortunately, people with rich imagination, especially children, are more subject to fear. And in this regard, classes in the theater studio are unique: by developing imagination they make a person more courageous!
- The repertoire is selected by the director at his or her discretion. We don't have strict restrictions. The only thing is that "The Tales of Kirzhach Land" are the priority. In general, adult spectators like comedies and children like musical fairy tales. Apparently, it is because in reality the news is increasingly sad.
- Every theater has its own unique feature. What's yours?
- We are more fortunate than everyone else because the team of like-minded people is working here. All come from the theatrical, cultural environment. We come here not to work but to create. It is incredible luck that there is an opportunity to work in such a team. But our main uniqueness is the house itself. First, it is a historical building. We have a two-storey auditorium and two staircases, which we often use in our performances. The action is not limited only by the stage. Sometimes the actors play in the auditorium moving between the guests who have the feeling of being fully present in the plot of the performance.
- There is a proverb: "The only man who makes no mistakes is the man who never does anything". The work of actors is interesting precisely because everything can go against the scenario at any time. Music might start a little bit later, the phone might ring a little bit earlier, your partner might say the wrong text and you will need to get out of these situations somehow. But, on the other hand, a spectator does not know what it should be like and the job of an actor is to make everything look as if it should be like that. One of the funniest situations was a year ago when the premiere of the comedy "Twists of Fate" was announced on January 4. On the New Year's Eve, one of the actresses fell ill and it was no longer possible to cancel the performance. On January 1, we made a decision with the actors to switch the roles to replace the actress who was ill. In two days it was necessary to memorize the whole text of another person and re-enter the performance. But we did it and got the storm of applause.
- They say that children are the best actors. Do you agree?
- Children are always the best. The best companions, partners, actors, musicians, artists. Adults have complex life experiences that leave their marks. And children with their spontaneity, of course, outperform any experienced actor.
This year, the Christmas tree shows will be held in the theater on December 30 and 31 at 11:00 and 13:00. Spectators will see a festive theatrical program "At Lukomorye" based on the Russian folk tale "Cat Voivod". The program includes: the interactive play with New Year's characters, the bright meeting of Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden, funny games and the New Year's disco. The price of a child ticket is 500 rubles. Admission for accompanying adults is free.
During the winter holidays, we will be happy to see guests at "Sovyonok" for the New Year's holiday dedicated to two outstanding events at once - the theater's birthday and the release of Yevgeny Fedorov's new book “Owlet and Santa Claus”. Informative master classes for the whole family will not leave indifferent those who love handicrafts: on January 4, you can make a grain doll, which, according to ancient legends, attracts prosperity to your house. Such a doll will be a great gift for the New Year. And on December 6, guests will be told about the traditions of celebrating the New Year and Christmas holidays in Russia. The interactive master class "Christmas Angel" will appeal to both adults and children.
On January 5, for our adult audience we will have the play "Casting for a Million" (directed by G. Kudeleva), and on January 6 - the children's play "Zaichushka" (directed by G. Kudeleva). On January 8 there will be the children's fairy tale "Alice in Wonderland" (directed by E. Fomina) and on January 9, we will stage a fairy tale for children ove the age of six "Rag Doll" (directed by E. Fomina).
You can learn more about the repertoire and book your tickets for performances on the website: teatr.sovenok33.ru
or on Instagram: teatr_sovenok33
