Volyn Academic Regional Music and Drama Theatre named after T.H. Shevchenko

Volyn Theatre named after T. H. Shevchenko: the region's main stage and a true place of strength for the residents of Lutsk

The Volyn Academic Regional Ukrainian Music and Drama Theatre named after T. H. Shevchenko has become part of the city's history and a true source of energy for more than 85 years of its activity. After all, this is where new ideas are born, traditions are honored, and people find the sense of emotional renewal that is especially needed by all Ukrainians today.

Theatre History

The Volyn Drama Theatre was founded in 1939, and already on February 29, 1940, audiences saw its first performance – «Platon Krechet» by Oleksandr Korniychuk. In 1945, when the T. H. Shevchenko Myrhorod Touring Theatre was transferred to Lutsk in accordance with a government resolution, the two ensembles were merged, marking the beginning of a new period in the theatre's history.

It was then that the institution's repertoire was expanded with productions including «The Forest Song» by Lesia Ukrainka, «Chasing Two Hares» and «Tsyhanka Aza» by Mykhailo Starytskyi, «Mary Tudor» by Victor Hugo, «Mirandolina» by Carlo Goldoni, «Stolen Happiness» by Ivan Franko and other stage works.

In the 1980s, the theatre turned to new forms of expression and more complex drama for that time. Its repertoire came to include «Lysistrata» by Aristophanes, «The House of Bernarda Alba» by Federico García Lorca, «The Possessed», «The Orgy» and «The Boyar Woman» by Lesia Ukrainka, and «The Haidamaks» based on Taras Shevchenko's work.

On February 23, 2006, the theatre was granted academic status. Today, the Volyn Theatre is known far beyond Lutsk: its productions go on tour not only throughout the regions of Western Ukraine, but also to other regions of the country and abroad. Audience support and the attention of professional critics accompany the ensemble in this creative journey.

How to Get to the Volyn Drama Theatre

The theatre is located in the very center of Lutsk at 1 Teatralnyi Maidan. From Lesia Ukrainka pedestrian street, simply walk to its end – this is where it leads to Teatralnyi Maidan, where the theatre building is located.

For travelling by public transport, the «Teatralnyi Maidan» and «TSUM» stops are convenient landmarks. Most city buses and trolleybuses pass through them.

Architectural Features

The current building of the Volyn Drama Theatre was designed in Kyiv in 1965 by architect Oleksandra Krylova. Construction of the functional building began in 1970, and the grand opening took place in 1976.

The theatre's architectural image is based on an expressive combination of massive white pylons and large glazed foyer surfaces. Thanks to this solution, the building looks open while organically fitting into the space of Teatralnyi Maidan. The main facade with a projecting two-tier structure deserves special attention. Its form resembles an open theatre curtain and has become a distinctive visual accent of the square.

From another angle, especially from a distance or from above, the building reveals a complex composition of numerous cubic forms. They are not arranged chaotically but form a clearly ordered structure with a pyramidal progression. This solution echoes the architecture of Brutalism, characterized by the use of massive structures and expressive geometric forms.

The Drama Theatre became one of the main architectural landmarks of its time in Lutsk and remains an important monument to the era and one of the city's unique buildings.

Structure and Capacity

The Volyn Drama Theatre named after T. H. Shevchenko has three main performance venues, each with its own format, capacity and distinctive atmosphere:

• Main Stage (Grand Hall) – the theatre's main performance space, accommodating 775 spectators. This is where large-scale opera, ballet and drama productions, orchestra concerts, as well as performances for children take place («The Forest Song», «Kotyhoroshko», «Life on Credit (Edith Piaf)»);
• Chamber Stage – a space created for closer contact between actors and the audience, with approximately 50 seats. Contemporary psychological drama, one-person shows, chamber comedies and experimental productions predominate here («The Academy of Laughter», «I Order Love» and other performances);
• Theatre in the Shelter – a specially equipped safe performance space that makes it possible to continue shows in modern conditions. It features chamber productions that do not stop during air raids. These performances include «The Perfect Slave», «Karol», «The Unconquered».

A lift is provided at the venue for visitors with special needs.

Ensemble

The Volyn Drama Theatre's company brings together representatives of different generations and theatrical schools. The artistic staff includes professional drama actors, ballet dancers and the theatre's own variety and symphony orchestra.

Among the theatre's artists are leading stage professionals, many of whom hold the honorary titles of People's Artists and Honored Artists of Ukraine. An important feature of the ensemble is its versatility: the actors work not only in the dramatic genre but also confidently combine stage acting with vocals, choreography and physical movement.

The theatre company is constantly replenished with young talents and actively tours. Since September 2022, the position of Director and Artistic Director of the theatre has been held by Honored Artist of Ukraine Serhii Skulynets.

The Theatre's Repertoire

Today, the repertoire of the Volyn Academic Regional Ukrainian Music and Drama Theatre named after T. H. Shevchenko encompasses works of Ukrainian and world drama. The programme combines stage adaptations of Ukrainian classics with contemporary productions. As a result, the repertoire remains interesting for a diverse audience. Among the theatre's most popular performances are:

• «The Century of Yakiv. First Love» based on Volodymyr Lys;
• «The Kaidash Family» based on Ivan Nechui-Levytskyi;
• «The Academy of Laughter» based on a play by Koki Mitani;
• «Silva» (operetta by Emmerich Kálmán);
• «The Perfect Slave» based on a play by Sławomir Mrożek and other works.

What Events Take Place at the Volyn Academic Music and Drama Theatre

The Volyn Drama Theatre named after T. H. Shevchenko is Lutsk's largest multifunctional cultural venue. Its spacious hall, full-scale theatre stage and the capabilities of the building itself allow it to host events in a variety of formats:

• concerts by popular Ukrainian artists and bands;
• choreographic shows;
• performances by touring and commercial theatre companies;
• creative evenings;
• festival events;
• charity events and more.

How to Get Tickets for Performances and Concerts at the Volyn Theatre named after T. H. Shevchenko

When your soul is looking for a source of inspiration and longs for an encounter with art, visit Concert.ua. The event listings page of the Volyn Drama Theatre brings together events to suit different tastes – all you have to do is choose the one that interests you most. Then everything is simple: booking and payment are completed online, and electronic tickets are sent to your email after purchase.