 | Kyiv`s dramatic theatre on Podol was founded in 1987 and has reputation of favourite place of culture of Kyiv. Vitaly Malakhov is founder and art director of Theatre on Podol, Honored actor of Ukraine. Malakhov is talented original producer, his performances are stimulated grate interest of public always, critics and press very actively respond to his productions, he surprises the public always, his performances are sold out. Kyiv`s theatre on Podol became by Laureate theatrical festival “Kyiv`s pectoral`98” the First Award with performance by the play of Korniychuk (classical author of Ukrainian literature) in nomination for the best theatrical |
General Information
Theatre on Podol is a theatre company situated in the picturesque Podol district of Kiev. Its permanent home is a decorative 19th century building on Andreevsky Spusk, a tree-lined cobbled street winding down from the stunning church of Saint Andrew. This historic area is known as Kiev’s “Monmartre”, and has many cafes, small shops, theatres and a frequent outdoor art market running the length of the street. The writer Bulgakhov’s house is just one of the street’s treasures, along with museums and galleries. The British Embassy is soon to move into the street and is re-furbishing one of the many grand old homes for this purpose. The Theatre on Podol building is currently closed to complete refurbishment and reconstruction with city funds. It will eventually include a small indoor auditorium housed in the original private family theatre of the gracious building, a big stage with 300 seat auditorium, cafe, gallery, set and costume workshops, rehearsal rooms and office space.
During reconstruction, the company has moved to the 17th century coaching inn in the hart of Podol’s main square, the Gostinny Dvor, where it has a long-term lease. The Podol district of Kiev, now fashionable and much sought after, is one of the oldest parts of the city. Crowning the hill is the magnificent church of Saint Andrew, painted tuquoise and withgreaming gold and green “onion” roofs. Nearby are the ruins of an 11th century church rased to the gound by the Tartars when they invaded Kiev in the 13th century. At the foot of the hill is a busy square and shoping district, and stretching north towards Kiev’s spectacular River Dniepr is an old district of shiping warehouses. Every city, it seams, has its Podol – a former industrial area adjoining historic homes and monuments, once somewhat neglected and rapidly becoming a centre for artistic and creative enterprises. Podol is still an area for working people and it is for this audience that Theatre on Podol primarily works.
The company has toured extensively and has been lauded in Ukraine, Russia, USA, Greece, Egypt, Costa Rica, and many other countries around the globe. It has already become a tradition for the theatre to take part in Edinburgh Theatre Festival which is the biggest and one of the most prestigious theatre fairs in the world. In 1994 the company took the risk of bringing two Shakespearean productions “Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Iago” after “Othello” for the festival. And that was the year when the Theatre on Podol became famous both with the audience and mass media.
During reconstruction, the company has moved to the 17th century coaching inn in the hart of Podol’s main square, the Gostinny Dvor, where it has a long-term lease. The Podol district of Kiev, now fashionable and much sought after, is one of the oldest parts of the city. Crowning the hill is the magnificent church of Saint Andrew, painted tuquoise and withgreaming gold and green “onion” roofs. Nearby are the ruins of an 11th century church rased to the gound by the Tartars when they invaded Kiev in the 13th century. At the foot of the hill is a busy square and shoping district, and stretching north towards Kiev’s spectacular River Dniepr is an old district of shiping warehouses. Every city, it seams, has its Podol – a former industrial area adjoining historic homes and monuments, once somewhat neglected and rapidly becoming a centre for artistic and creative enterprises. Podol is still an area for working people and it is for this audience that Theatre on Podol primarily works.
The company has toured extensively and has been lauded in Ukraine, Russia, USA, Greece, Egypt, Costa Rica, and many other countries around the globe. It has already become a tradition for the theatre to take part in Edinburgh Theatre Festival which is the biggest and one of the most prestigious theatre fairs in the world. In 1994 the company took the risk of bringing two Shakespearean productions “Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Iago” after “Othello” for the festival. And that was the year when the Theatre on Podol became famous both with the audience and mass media.
Artistic Direction
Choosing its repertoire from European, Ukrainian and Russian classics, the company tends to follow two main artistic directions: - entertainment, “market-square” theatre whose roots can be traced down to low farce and medieval mystery
- Experimental performances with new forms of text, music, design and theatre methodology.
Theatre on Podol productions have a vigor and imagination which brings them to life for any audience. Folk influences, vibrant music and striking design also present the more sophisticated theatre-goer with a fresh look at well-known material. The talented company has been together under the direction of Vitaly Malakhov for 20 years, and has developed a particulary strong reputation for discovering and reviving neglected Renaissance works, both Ukrainian and international. The epic political changes of the last decades, interpreted through classic texts, have also been the focuse of much of the company’s work. The company has won popular and critical approval from its inception, both at home and abroad on its international tours. Performances are regulary sold out, with audiences lining the streets for tickets. The theatre becomes the focus of the annual Kiev Festival of Arts, when the intire winding street is filled with crowds straining to catch a glimpse of the company’s famous outdoor performances. The former president Kravchuk many times visited theirs performances and had a look at the constraction site and the plans of the new theatre. The company continues to receive enormous moral support from both the City government of Kiev and the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. Director Vitaly Malakhov was awarded the National Order of Marit for servises to theatre. However, the current economic and political crises in Ukraine means that this once state funded organization must now servive virtually un-aided. With experience only of a subsidised art-market, the transition to a commercial enviroment is not an easy one, and the company has made valiant efforts to learn rapidly from its western partners and contacts. International touring and partnership thus provide not only a vital cultural exchange, but also a practice in manegment, marketing and fundraising.