Miracle in the open air - Green Theater

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Today, for Muscovites and visitors, the Green Theater (Moscow) is one of the favorite places for leisure. Of course, after all, what inhabitant of a modern metropolis does not like to spend time in nature, in the open air? The question should be left rhetorical. Green theater has a rich history, which will be discussed in this article.

A bit of history, or How it all began

The Green Theater was built in 1830 near the palace. It was an open summer amphitheater, which had a semicircular shape. The theater did not need any decorations or special repairs, since it was surrounded by trees and bushes, which distinguished it from other buildings, creating a hedge.

To this day, records of the summer theater have been preserved, which describe not only its size (length 35 fathoms, width at the front 19 fathoms, and at the rear end 21 fathoms), but also the colors of the walls ("painted with white and wild colors ").

And in 1930, a huge open stage was built on this territory, which could accommodate 5,000 spectators. This place was intended for rallies, various spectacles of the Olympics, as well as for demonstrations of home-made arts (crafts).

And three years later, it was decided to build a large open theater in Gorky Park. The main and main requirement of the project was the presence of an open area that could accommodate 20,000 spectators and a large stage.

Description of open-air theater

The construction site was not chosen by chance. The Green Theater was built on the ''Bow'' square. The place is located in front of the Neskuchny Palace, on a picturesque slope. The terrain was just perfect, which is important. After all, the places for spectators are the mountainside, which was covered with asph alt.

Looking at the Green Theater (photos are presented in the article), you can see that it has fifteen belt sections, of which 7 are for sitting, and the remaining 8 (rear) are for standing. Seating areas are benches with backs and sturdy concrete legs.

The stage itself was a wooden structure, which consisted of a theatrical platform, a gallery furnished with pylon towers on both sides. In the very center was placed a large place for the orchestra - the so-called orchestra pit. Inside the stage there is a room for staff, rooms for artists and the like.

The frame of the building consisted of wood, which was sheathed with board, covered with plywood and painted with oil paint.

New location

Green Theaterwas built in thirty days and existed until 1956. It was in this year that the question arose that it was necessary to rebuild the premises. The new building of the Green Theater was built within a year and opened in 1957 before the start of the World Festival of Youth and Students.

Changes appeared in the new building: the Green Theater was moved twenty-five meters away from the Moskva River. The architect also reduced the area of the amphitheater by 400 m. And thanks to this, an alley was laid connecting the theater with the Neskuchny Garden.

Since that time, many years have passed, and the Green Theater has been operating to this day. Every year, with the advent of spring, restoration work begins in the theater. Painting or replacing wooden benches, refurbishing the stage, etc.

Not without criticism

Naturally, like any novelty, the Green Theater also met with criticism from many architects and not only. However, this did not prevent him from becoming a favorite place for a pleasant pastime of thousands of people. Many Muscovites proudly show the wonder of their city in the open air to visitors.

Meaning

For many years, the Green Theater has been reconstructed and restored more than once. And this is natural, because the theater is not protected from natural forces. However, the theater operates to this day. Over time, it turned into a modern complex of theatrical and concert skills. It is undoubtedly of great importance in the development of culture, art and education for the whole country. After all, over the years, the open-air theater has been visited by more than onegeneration. During its existence, more than a hundred different cultural projects have been implemented here, which included not only theatrical performances, but also much more. In addition, more than two thousand major domestic and interstate festivals have been held at the Green Theater.

And yet the theater does not stop there, but continues to develop and looks forward to new prospects. So new changes in this place of leisure and recreation are possible soon.

Green Theatre: how to get there?

Address: Moscow, Krymsky Val street, 9, p. 33 (Gorky Park)

Nearest metro stations: Oktyabrskaya, Frunzenskaya, Shabolovskaya.

Conclusion

Green theater is something special, once here, a person seems to be in another world. In the world of beauty and art. And the surrounding panorama with trees and mountain slopes, the river gives the theater a special meaning. So everyone should visit this ''open-air museum''.