Yalta Theatre named after the celebrated Russian playwright Anton Chekhov had its official grand opening Saturday, Jan. 26

Mr Nikolay Rudnik, director, who presided at the opening ceremony, addressed the audience, saying that the new theatre will be a huge benefit to the residents and guests of the city, providing the public with an excellent set of facilities as the town’s largest theatre venue, able host a range of community productions and events. The theatre was also created with the hope that it would provide a home for a permanent repertory company offering the greatest in classic and new plays.

The restoration of the theatre was one of the largest construction projects to take place in Yalta for several years. Ten years ago Yalta Chekhov Theatre was confronted with a problem of continuing the operation of the theatre in an old building which constituted a hazard and in other ways was short of meeting demands of modern entertainment places, being in a sad state of disrepair. After the completion of the extensive alterations and renovations Yalta Chekhov Theatre became thoroughly up-to-date in every respect and a valuable acquisition to the town.

 Transformed both externally and internally, it became practically a new theatre. The new fine improvements include modern air conditioning, plasma panels, computerized lighting board, stage lights, 488 red velvet cushion seats, balcony seating, high ceilings, concession bar, restaurant and a large reception area, featuring several marble bas-reliefs of the famous Russian writers. The outside alterations immensely improved the appearance of the building as well as the adjacent territory. Now the exterior of the theatre complements historic Yalta downtown with a facade built in colonial style, palm trees and a splendid fountain nearby.

The first principal public performance in the newly restored theatre was a full production play "Another’s Wife and a Husband Under the Bed", a refined comedy based on the works of the famous Russian author Fedor Dostoevsky by a good cast of such renowned actors as Lev Borisov and Alexey Kravchenko in the leading parts.