Roma Theatre “Romance”

Romance Roma Theatre in Kyiv: The First and Only State Roma Theatre in Ukraine

The Kyiv-based Romance Theatre is a temple of art with a beautiful Roma soul. This unique institution creates works in the genres of classical romance, national folklore, and musical drama. The theatre is a centre that brings together true professionals who share the richness of Roma culture with the world. The artists whose names are etched in the theatre’s history include its founder, talented actor, director, vocalist, and People's Artist of Ukraine Ihor Krykunov; the theatre’s leading actress, Honoured Artist of Ukraine Liudmyla Krykunova; Zhanna Karpenko, head of the «Syngarella» ensemble; People's Artist of Ukraine Leonid Sandulenko; and many others.

History of the Theatre

The Romance Roma Theatre opened in Kyiv in 1994 and quickly became known far beyond Ukraine’s borders. In 2003, the institution was granted state status in recognition of its significant contribution to the development of multinational culture.

Over the years, solo concert programmes, performances, and themed evenings based on outstanding examples of the distinctive and unique musical culture of the Roma people have been presented to audiences not only in Ukraine but also in many countries around the world.

The Company

The theatre’s company is international. Although Roma artists form the core of the creative troupe, representatives of other nationalities also work here. The main criterion the administration applies when selecting staff is exceptional talent. After all, the theatre’s artists must combine acting, powerful vocals, and energetic choreography on stage.

From 2000 to 2021, Ihor Krykunov was Romance’s steadfast mentor. His life was cut short by illness. The traditions of the theatre are now carried on by the wife and daughter of the People's Artist of Ukraine.

Repertoire

The Romance Theatre’s programmes offer a variety of genres and formats. Audiences can enjoy both traditional Roma romance evenings and elaborate theatrical phantasmagorias based on works by classical authors. Among the most remarkable projects are stage adaptations of poems by Lina Kostenko, a challenge that not every experienced director is willing to take on.

The creative company’s main goal is to introduce audiences to the distinctive features of Roma culture and worldview. Music holds a special place in every performance: vivid, diverse, and rich in instrumentation. The music is always performed live, filled with powerful emotions and a sense of freedom.

What Events Take Place at the Romance Roma Theatre

In addition to traditional performances, the theatre also hosts other cultural and artistic events:

• solo concerts and creative evenings;
• festive variety shows;
• international festivals;
• commercial theatre productions and comedy shows;
• charity events, exhibitions, and more.

From 2000 until the beginning of the full-scale war, the theatre hosted the world-famous International Festival of Roma Culture «Amala» (Friends), which brought together creative groups from more than 20 countries.

Where to Buy Tickets for Events at the Romance Roma Theatre

The theatre’s event listings are available on Concert.ua. Choose an event that interests you and reserve your seats right away. Then take a couple of minutes to complete the payment process and receive your tickets as an attachment to an email. The world of art is boundless. Don’t be afraid to explore it further!