The Arzamas Drama Theatre opened the new season with the premiere of "The Minor".

      September 11, 2025, 19:42

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      Culture and leisure

      The 83rd theatrical season at the Arzamas Drama Theatre opened with the premiere of the play "The Minor." The production was made possible thanks to financial support from United Russia. More than 570,000 rubles from the federal budget were allocated for work on the production.

      "The play was staged as part of the party program 'Culture of the Small Motherland' and the support of municipal theatres. This program has been running for many years and has played a huge role in helping our theatres address issues of material resources and in expanding their repertoires," emphasized Sergey Gorin, chief advisor to the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and regional coordinator of the party project "Culture of the Small Motherland."

      The director of the production is Honored Artist of Russia Vadim Romanov. According to him, Denis Fonvizin's classic work has not lost its relevance today. Permissiveness, laziness, disrespect for people, dependency, and marriage of convenience — nearly two and a half centuries later — have not disappeared.

      "I'm happy to have been part of this project because it turned out to be surprisingly coherent, valuable and substantial. For the first time in my life it happened that the funding arrived on time, we managed to hold a technical meeting, and there was time to create sets and costumes and to purchase all the materials. And you know, when I arrived for rehearsals of the banquet scene, all the décor was ready. It's the first time I've had such an experience in my life and it pleases me greatly," noted Vadim Romanov, chief director of the Koleso Dramatic Theatre named after G. B. Drozdov and Honored Artist of Russia.

      The Arzamas Dramatic Theatre's "The Minor" is a modern, vivid comedy on a topical subject. For the company the production became an interesting professional experience.

      "It was easy for us to work. The rehearsal process was very creative and engaging. Many thanks to everyone and, first of all, to our wonderful director," said Arzamas Drama Theatre actress Elena Strebkova.

      "Like any premiere, it is nerve-wracking because there is a slight stage fright; it should always be present. The main thing is that it doesn't overwhelm you," shared Arzamas Drama Theatre actor Ilya Kulish.

      In 2025 the "Culture of the Small Motherland" project includes: Arzamas Drama Theatre, Dzerzhinsk Drama Theatre and Sarov Drama Theatre. More than 2.8 million rubles were allocated to support creative activities and strengthen the material and technical base of municipal theatres in the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

      Recall that supporting and improving the quality of cultural institutions' work, renewing the material and technical base, diversifying the repertoire, and increasing their accessibility are the main objectives of the "Culture of the Small Motherland" project and are reflected in the party's popular program.

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