Mayakovsky Theatre of Moscow

Mayakovsky Theatre - Performing Through Time

The Mayakovsky Theatre was a mid 18th century building, and was known then as the Theatre of Revolutionary Satire. Impresario and actor, Georg Paradiz had rented the building from Princess Shakhovskaya-Glebova-Streshneva in the years 1885 to 1887. The princess was the last remaining member of the family. Paradiz had used the building for his operetta and decided to hire architects Tersky and Shekhtel, to rebuild the structure as a theatre. The Theatre of Revolutionary Satire did not have a permanent company, with various guest actors making appearances at the theatre, such as Ernst Possart, Sarah Bernhardt and Ernesto Rossi. The theatre is situated in No. 19 at the junction on Maly Kisloivsky Lane in Moscow.

In 1920 the Theatre of Revolutionary Satire opened, with V. Meyerhold being the first Art Director. The Theatre of Revolutionary Satire was renamed to the Theatre of Revolution in 1922, and in 1935, A. Popov joined the theatre as Director. N. Okhlopkov, a prominent producer, became the head of the theatre in 1943 and the present, was the basis of his production performances. In 1954 the theatre was renamed, yet again, to the Mayakovsky Theatre and received Academic Theatre status in 1964.

The addition of No.26, on the left of the Mayakovsky Theatre building, was erected by and owned by a passionate theatre lover named Major-General Pozdnyakov. His little serf theatre gave performances in the building and his wife, Yelizaveta, taught the new serf actresses how to act. The director of the Major-General’s theatre was Sila Sandunov. The Major-General was an eccentric man with a wicked sense of humour, as was his footman Lunin. Both men were jokers and often Pozdnyakov would wander around during his productions, dressed either like an Indian or as a Persian. On hearing about the oriental ambassador's visit to Moscow, the Major-General decided to invite the ambassador to a ball that was held at his home in the ambassador’s honor. Unfortunately, the Major-General died suddenly during the preparations, and on arrival, the ambassador was greeted by Pozdnyakov’s loyal footman, Lunin. Lunin explained to the ambassador that, “The General apologizes for the fact that the ball has been cancelled because of his death.”

A. Goncharov became the head of the Mayakovsky Theatre in 1967 and the theatre has been closely affiliated with the branch on Sretenka Street since 1981.