The director of the Kherson musical drama told about the fate of the theater building after the explosion of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station

“Water didn’t reach him”

After the destruction of the dam of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station, a significant part of the Kherson region, including the regional center held by Ukrainian forces, was in the flood zone. The rampage of the elements also posed a threat to the cultural infrastructure, but, as the MK correspondent found out, at least one significant object of Kherson was not damaged. The fate of the Kherson Russian Music and Drama Theater (whose employees were evacuated to the territory controlled by the Russian Federation), was told by its director Valery Sheludko.

– Valery Andreevich, where are you now? What does the Kherson musical drama do during the evacuation?

– Our theater is now based in Skadovsk (Kherson region) in the regional House of Culture. Recently, we have released a skit for the Theater Day, it was shown in several settlements – Genichesk, the village of Strelkovoe and in our Skadovsk, we prepared Yesenin’s evening and a waltz evening. The next evening, which we are already preparing, will be dedicated to Vladimir Semenovich Vysotsky. Plus, we are working on staging a fairy tale for children.

– What is the fate of the ancient building built in Kherson in 1883-1889 by the architect Vladislav Dombrovsky, the “father” of the legendary Odessa Opera House?

– The Kherson theater was not flooded, the water did not reach it. He’s fine, I can assure you.

– How did the Ukrainian “military administration” of Kherson use the building?

– The theater did not seem to be empty, the former director returned to it, they created the appearance of vigorous activity there, but they worked only in the basement. This is what I know.

– What difficulties does the “refugee theatre” face? How can they be overcome?

– We got in touch with the Yaroslavl Theater, they promised to provide us with costumes and props. A new director will come to us soon to see our creative team and think about what performances can be produced in our theater.

– Today is the Day of Russia, are you in a festive mood?

– Yes. And I want to congratulate everyone on this great holiday, wish all the best and, of course, our Victory.