Shymkent Russian Drama Theater
The Shymkent Russian Drama Theater is one of Kazakhstan's oldest theaters, with a history that stretches back to 1929. It was established to introduce the Russian diaspora to the world of theatrical art. In its early years, the theater's repertoire was aligned with the ideological demands of the time, featuring performances that celebrated the revolution, the establishment of the USSR, and the lives of workers and peasants.
During World War II, Shymkent became a refuge for evacuees from the front-line regions of the Soviet Union, leading to a significant increase in the Russian-speaking population. In response to this demographic shift, a regional Russian drama theater was established in 1944.
The theater's productions include Nikolai Gogol's "The Government Inspector," Dale Wasserman's adaptation of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," Chinghiz Aitmatov's "The White Cloud of Genghis Khan," Grigory Gorin's "A Plague o’ Both Your Houses," Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya," and Albert Camus' "Caligula" among others. The theater also stages works by Kazakh playwrights, translated into Russian.
How to get there?
Address: 4/2 Al-Farabi Square
The theater is located in the old center of Shymkent, opposite the Shymkent Plaza shopping mall. You can get there by buses #52, 56 and 92.
Other tourist attractions near the theater:
- Fantasy World Park
- Shymkent Arbat Street
- Koshkar Ata River Embankment
- Fontan Water Park
- Abay Park
- TSUM (Central Universal Department Store)
- Mega Planet Shopping Mall
Recommended tours:
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Shymkent, the third-largest city in Kazakhstan, boasts a rich, extensive history. It is one of the oldest cities in the region, having emerged as a vital hub along the Silk Road caravan routes.