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Theater of Russian Drama named after Lesya Ukrainka

In spite of its rather academic name the Academic Theatre of Drama and Comedy, located on the left bank of the Dnepr River, is a very innovative and young establishment. The theatre was founded in 1979 on the initiative of Eduard Mitnizky, who headed the company and become the artistic director of the troupe. The first play of the new theatre that opened a galaxy of bright performances was Acme by Ukrainian playwright Rodion Fedenev.

The theater is remarkable for its experimental performances. It was one of the first theatres in Kiev, which established a small stage called The Theatre in the Foyer, where for the first time in the soviet theatre the play in Ukrainian (Lies by Vinnichenko) was staged.

The theatre produces important new and classical plays of Russian and Ukrainian dramatic art. Its extensive repertoire comprises plays by such playwrights as F. Dostoyevsky, M. Bulgakov and plays of outstanding modern playwrights. The troupe of the theatre strives to ruin the stereotype ideas and to show the audience that the problems discussed in traditional Ukrainian dramas are very up-to-date. The plays are sometimes provocative, always intelligent and often full of laughter.

The troupe tries to embody in its work such principles as spiritual and emotional contact between the audience and the actors, the openness and sincerity of expression, high artistic standards. The professionalism of actors, fresh urgent performances, interesting interpretation of classical plays and original view of each role have formed the recognizable style of the troupe and gained the popularity of the Academic Theatre of Drama and Comedy with the citizens and guests of Kiev, who do not miss an opportunity to see one of the best theatres of the Ukrainian capital.

Some words should be said about the founder of the theatre, Eduard Mitnizky. He has not only created this popular theatre but also educated many modern directors, who are proud to call themselves the students of Eduard Mitnizky. Many critics assert that there is even a new theatrical phenomenon, the so called Mitnitsky School of Theatrical Direction.

From the very beginning many outstanding actors and writers have loved working at the Academic Theatre of Drama and Comedy, often starting their celebrated careers in its premises. Nowadays such famous Kiev actors as Vladimir Goryansky, Vitaly Linetzky, Lesya Samaeva, Lev Somov, Darya Loboda, Alexander Getmansky, Neonila Beletzkaya play in the theatre. Actors and directors of the Academic Theatre of Drama and Comedy have won many prestigious theatrical awards.

The theatre has developed a national and international reputation for the presentation of Ukrainian dramatic art. Its performances were highly appreciated at the different international theatrical festivals - Festival of Russian Theatres of CIS and Baltic States, Festival of Russian Theatres, Days of Ukrainian Culture in France, Slavic Theatrical Meetings and others.