Ukrainian theater in Odesa celebrates 100th anniversary

The V. Vasylko Odesa Academic Ukrainian Music and Drama Theater celebrated its 100th anniversary.

On November 7, 1925, the Odesa Ukrainian State Drama Theater was opened in Odesa, the first stationary Ukrainian theater in the South of Ukraine. The first performance was "The Flaming Ones" based on Lunacharsky's play, staged by Boris Glagolin, who used a real car for the performance. The car drove onto the stage during the performance.

In 1926, the theater was headed by Vasyl Vasylko. In the three years that followed, the theater staged 34 premieres, from The Arsonists and The Eyelash to Chasing Two Hares and The Haidamaks. In 1930, the theater received a new home-the building of the former Sibiryakov Theater-and a new name: Theater of the Revolution. In April 1944, two days after the return of Soviet rule to Odesa, the theater celebrated its return with the performance of Sorochynska Yarmarok. In 1950-1980, the theater continued to create Ukrainian repertoire.

In 1995, the theater was named after Vasyl Vasylko, and in 2006 it was granted academic status. In 2022, rehearsals and performances were held in a shelter, thus creating the format of the "Theater in the Shelter".

In August 2024, the Vasylko Odesa Ukrainian Theater began its 100th anniversary season with the premiere of the play Vyrii. The play stars four women: Halyna(Ninel Natocha, Honored Artist of Ukraine), Inga(Iryna Shelyah), Angelina(Maria Buimovych), and Maryna(Iryna Besarab) - mother, sister, lover, and soldier - meet by chance at a bus stop and, while waiting for transportation, gradually get to know each other and start talking.

In July of the same year, the V. Vasylko Odesa Academic Music and Drama Theater was shortlisted for the "Hra " festival award in the nomination "Best Chamber Play." We are talking about the play "1900. The Legend of the Pianist", which the theater will be performing this season.

Кирило Бойко