ABOUT THE THEATER
The Music and Drama Theater “Constantine Kisimov” in the town of Veliko Tarnovo offers exquisite contemporary atmosphere, a mobile stage, unique acoustics. The theater disposes of a 644-seat hall and 219 of the seats are located on a circle. The theater also disposes of a chamber hall with 120 seats. The spacious and well-lit foyers of the theater are a preferred place for the arrangement of exhibitions, including of course the permanent exhibition of the theater, which presents pictures illustrating the past and present artistic history of the institution. Ivan Evstatiev is the current managing director of the theater.
A professional regional theater based on the already existing amateur theaters in Veliko Tarnovo, Gorna Oryahovitsa and Tryavna, was established on 14 July 1952. It was housed in the local Community center “Nadejda”. Nikola Shivarov was appointed as its managing director. The first premiere of the theater was on 18 September when the play “Love” by Orlin Vassilev was performed. The stage of the theater was the work place of the prominent and unforgettable actor Constantine Kisimov.
On 1 January 1956 the theater became property of the state. That was when the first group of actors graduate from the Higher Institute for Theatrical Arts came to perform on local stage.
An experimental unique for the country theater with two subdivisions – drama and opera was established during the next theatrical season. The first opera performed on stage was “Chanita’s kiss” by Milyutin.
The new building of the theater was solemnly opened on 20 April 1971 with the performance of the “Under the Yoke” play, which was directed by Simeon Shivachev.
What is unique for the theater is the combination of drama and musical stage art. Both plays and operas are successfully performed on stage of the theater. Often unforgettable plays, concerts and show programs jointly performed by the casts of the two subdivisions of the theater pleasantly surprise the spectators. Ballet formation “Albena” conducted by Albena Hristova also works and performs here. The ballet formation is a winner of a prize from the “Indian Mysteries” International Dance Festival held in Varna. The Music and Drama Theater “Constantine Kisimov” is a movable theater – its plays are performed on stage in many Bulgarian towns as well as abroad.
The theater is a winner of the “Golden Lira” prize awarded by the Union of the Bulgarian music and dance activists.
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