KIEV DRAMA THEATRE ON PODOL

About the Kiev Drama Theatre on Podol

Kiev Drama Theatre on Podol was founded in 1987.

The Founder and Director of the Theatre is the famous Ukrainian director, Honoured actor of the Ukraine, Vitaly Malakhov. His performances have stimulated a great interest in not only the public, but also critics and the press.

Kiev Theatre on Podol took the First Prize in the prestigious “Kiev’s Pectoral” theatrical festival, performing a play by the classical Ukrainian author Korneichuk; the Theater was also nominated for Best Theatrical Group of the Year. Vitally Malakhov became Laureate at the same festival as the Best Director of the Year.

Ukraine's dramatic arts have been represented by Theatre on Podol in America, Great Britain, Greece, Germany, Costa-Rica, Mexico, Poland, Egypt, Turkey and Denmark.

We hope for creative collaboration; our group is interested in exchange tours, which will give a new push to development of theatrical process of our countries.

Artistic Direction

Choosing its repertoire from European, Ukrainian and Russian classics, the Theatre tends towards these main artistic directions:

- entertaining, “market-square” theatre, whose roots can be traced back to farce and medieval mystery;

- experimental performances with new forms of text, design and theatre methodology.

Theatre on Podol productions have surprising energy which brings it to the spectators. Folk influences, bright music and unusual design are intended for the more sophisticated theatregoer, with a new look at well-known material. The talented theatrical group has been together under the direction of Vitaly Malakhov for 18 years.

The company has won popular and critical approval at home and abroad during its tours. Performances of the Theatre are very popular and sold out. The Theatre is a founder of some serious international theatrical festivals. In 1999, the First International theatrical festival, “Kiev May,” was opened, and has received wide public recognition. At the Festival, the creative groups from 13 countries of the world represented their arts. The “Kiev May” Festival has a patronage of The Head of Kiev Municipality.

The Theatre has the support of Kiev City Administration and Ministry of Culture and Art of Ukraine. However, because of the unstable economic and political situation, the Theatre can’t hope only for State support. Therefore, the Theatre is interested in collaboration both with Ukrainian and Western colleagues.

General Information

Kiev Drama Theatre on Podol is situated in the picturesque and old Podol district of Kiev. The Theatre's home is an ancient 19th century building on Andreevsky Spusk, a historical district well-known as Kiev’s “Monmartre,” where theatres, galleries, museums, many cafes, small shops and also large art markets running the length of the street are situated. One of the Andreevsky Spusk`s “treasures” is a House-museum of the world famous writer Mikhail Bulgakov.

This building was closed for reconstruction. Now, there is a stage for 70 seats, and the other part of the building, including the European stage with 300 seats, cafe, gallery, rehearsal halls, costume rooms and office space, will be ready as of May 2006. The Theatre also has a stage for 100 seats not far from the main building in “Gostiny Dvor.”

Theatre on Podol has an active touring life and is well-known not only in Ukraine, but in Russia, the USA, Greece, Egypt, Costa Rica and many other countries all over the world the world. It has already become a tradition for the Theatre to take part at the Theatrical Festival in Edinburgh, which is the biggest and one of the most prestigious festivals in the world. In 1994, the Theatre presented two of its productions – “Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Iago” (based on William Shakespeare's “Othello”). That was the year when the Theatre on Podol became famous both with audiences and the mass media.

- List of Festivals and Tours -

Press

For "Iago":

“… stimulating, cathartic and compelling…”
- Michael Ridings, EVENING NEWS

“…a splash at the Edinburgh Festival…” - THE TIMES

“…the most exciting piece of theatre on the Fringe…”
- Mark Fisher, THE OBSERVER

“…Theatre-on-Podol’s Iago is a more sophisticated enterprise,
from a mature company which has been performing Shakespeare
for more than a decade…” - Clare Bayley, THE INDEPENDENT

“…the most exciting piece of theatre I’ve seen on the
Fringe all week... brilliant… explosive… fierce…”
- Joyce McMillan, SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY

“… The further it departs from Shakespeare the more
enthralling it becomes…” - FINANCIAL TIMES

“…white magic…” - LA NACION

“…Standing ovations and arm-aching applause were the only
possible responses to a world of theatrical magic created by a
brilliant young company… if you missed it you missed a real
treat…” - John Thaxter, RICHMOND & TWICKENHAM TIMES

- READ MORE -