Gomel. Gomel Regional Drama Theatre

The history of the regional drama theater in Gomel begins in 1939. Then, based on the acting course of Leonid Leonidov, People's Artist of the Soviet Union, a team of young artists who graduated from the Moscow Institute of Theatrical Art was created. This creative association was named the Gomel Russian Drama Theater. The first production, with which their joint activity began, was the comedy "The Inspector" based on the work of Nikolai Gogol.

A year later, it was decided to erect a building for the theater designed by architect Ivan Zholtovsky. However, the outbreak of war in 1941 prevented the implementation of this plan. During the war, there were so-called "front-line theater brigades", the purpose of which was to raise the morale of soldiers. These brigades visited the wounded and toured the fronts. After the war, the theater resumed its work in Gomel. Of the original cast, only 14 artists remained. The first post-war production was the comedy "Liar", which was presented on June 30, 1945 on the stage of the club at the local Vesuvius match factory.

The following year, due to the lack of its own building, the Gomel troupe was transferred to Mogilev. In 1954, a new drama theater building appeared on Lenin Square in Gomel, designed by Alexander Tarasenko, a student of Ivan Zholtovsky.

The theater building, built before 1955, when a decree was passed on the elimination of excesses in construction, has a rich appearance. The main facade is made in the form of a portico of a composite order with six columns. The pediment depicts the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin, next to which there is a figure of the ancient Greek goddess Melpomene, patroness of theatrical art. The facade is decorated with images of musical paraphernalia, as well as elements of classical sculpture and architecture.

In 2004-2005, the theater building underwent reconstruction. The facades, the porch and the heating system were overhauled. Due to its convenient location and rich history, the regional Drama Theater remains an important place to visit for those who are interested in the history of Gomel.