The Theater of the Russian Army in Moscow is one of the largest monuments of the Stalinist Empire architectural style. Its construction began in 1934, and the first performance on its stage was staged in 1940. The size of the theater itself, the foyer and the stage are gigantic – they were supposed to embody the power of the Russian Army.
The era of the 1930s in both Russia and Europe was a very difficult time. Art in those years was one of the most important elements of propaganda. The ruling elites in European countries could not exist without it. Artists on stage played performances about the "great victories" of the army in battles with enemies. This motivated and inspired the people, even despite the difficulties of everyday life. The Theater of the Russian Army in Moscow has become one of the main elements of this work.
The stage of the Russian Theater is recognized as the largest in Europe. In addition to the dimensions, the wall has a large number of mechanisms that can create any relief. Under the stage there was a drum with a diameter of 26 meters, which allowed not only to change the relief of the stage, but also to make a large amphitheater out of it. There was something similar in the Roman Colosseum, where structures under the amphitheater allowed for gladiatorial fights, animal baiting or even naval battles.
Due to the gigantic size and high ceilings, the acoustics in the hall are not very good, but if you consider that armored trains, tanks and battleships can go on stage, as well as regiments of soldiers, then there was no need for acoustics for chamber theater performances initially.
The Theater of the Russian Army was built according to the project of Soviet architects Karo Alabyan and Vasily Simbirtsev. Initially, another architect`s project was adopted, where the theater had the shape of a circle. Taking advantage of the patronage of the People`s Commissar of Railways Lazar Kaganovich, Karo Alabyan insisted on his project of the theater building in the form of a star. Another famous project of Karo Alabyan is the Marine Terminal in Sochi, he also led the restoration of Stalingrad (Volgograd) after the war.
In the Soviet magazine “Technique of Youth” in 1940, it was written that about 40 factories from all over the country carried out orders for this grandiose structure. Marshal of the Soviet Union Kliment Voroshilov, one of Joseph Stalin`s closest adherent, played a direct part in the design and decoration of the Theater of the Russian Army. He approved sketches of ceiling paintings in the foyer and the main hall. On the huge ceiling of the main hall, guests can see airplanes, as well as landscape scenes - this is a picture of the Tushino airfield.
The grandiose building of the Theater of the Russian Army towered over other surrounding houses in the 1940s. It is considered the first Stalin High-rise, the rest were built after the war. The 62-meter theater building was supposed to be crowned with a sculpture of a Red Army soldier, but its installation was prevented by the outbreak of war. Also, other sculptures on the roof were not installed.
In the first years of its existence, the Theater of the Russian Army was dominated by performances of a military-patriotic orientation, such as: "Commander Suvorov", "Stalingraders", "Admiral`s Flag", "Sevastopol March" and others. Then there were classic staging by Russian authors, for example, Gorky, Ostrovsky, Chekhov and even William Shakespeare. In addition to performances, various festive events of the Russian army are held in the theater hall.
