Description of the attraction
At the Academic Drama Theater named after A. S. Pushkin in the city of Pskov since 1988, the very first theater in Russia in historical monuments in the open air, called "Carousel", has been operating. The artistic director of the theater was the People's Artist of Russia, as well as the Honored Art Worker Radun V. I., who has been working in this genre for a very long time. Performances in historical monuments have been staged with incredible success at domestic and foreign theater festivals and have received accolades in the media. Not only for the creation of the Karusel theater, but also for all performances related to the last decade, V. I. several times nominated for the State Russian Prize for 1998 and 2000, and was also awarded the honorary title of People's Artist of Russia and the Pskov Administration Prize in the field of theatrical art for 1998.
The beginning of everything was laid thanks to night performances in the city of Pskov on the territory of the historical and architectural complex on the banks of the Great River. Immediately before the performances, entertaining performances of folklore ensembles, buffoons, exhibitions and sales of paintings by Pskov artists, handicraft products, clothing lotteries and auctions were held - this is how a kind of peculiar environment was created, carrying a festive atmosphere, in which all those who came to the event were involved, and the top of everything that happened was the performances.
The stage equipment was very original and consisted of prefabricated metal structures. In addition, a prefabricated amphitheater for spectators was equipped, which included 1200 seats, which made it possible for the theater to quickly and mobilely move to different regions and in a short time to work in the open air of various spaces. This is what made it possible to tour with great success in 1991 in the city of Yaroslavl, as well as in 1992 in Tallinn and Ivangorod. Most importantly, the theater took part in the Vekhi festival, held internationally in the city of Kostroma, in the Ipatiev Monastery, during several congresses of the All-Russian Festival Voices of History, which took place during 1994-2001, and also gave performances during the annual "Days of Russian Culture", carrying out their activities in the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery in the period 1995-2001.
The great potential of the well-known Karusel theater was noticed in the implementation of orders of the city administrations of Pskov, Ivangorod, Vyborg and Priozersk, as well as in the preparation of various kinds of anniversary celebrations. For example, in 1992, during the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the famous Ivangorod on the basis of the Karusel theater, a theatrical procession was carried out to the border of Narva - children's parties, a fair, an auction, as well as a night performance based on V. Karasev's play “The Wall”, And at the end of the event - festive fireworks.
During 1992-1993 in Pskov, the Karusel theater prepared a large complex of various events that were associated with the 750th anniversary of the Battle of the Ice, as well as the 1090th anniversary of the first mention of the city of Pskov in chronicles with the participation of Metropolitan of All Russia Alexy II, as well as the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation V. S. Chernomyrdin.
In 1994, Karusel became an official participant in one of the cultural programs called The Goodwill Games, held in St. Petersburg in the Peter and Paul Fortress with its play Peter the First. Light and pyrotechnic effects, as well as the use of costumes from the Petrine era, gave the action a scale, spectacularity and unprecedented authenticity.
The Karusel Theater has an entry in the book “Golden Chronicle for the 1100th Anniversary of the City of Pskov”. In addition, the theater was included in the official program dedicated to the celebration of the 850th anniversary of the capital.
In the summer of 2003, "Carousel" with its play "The Holy Warrior Alexander" took part in the celebration dedicated to the 1250th anniversary of Staraya Ladoga.
