If you have been browsing profiles of Russian women on Elenasmodels.com, you would have noticed by now that nearly everyone of them mentions ‘theatre’ among interests. What is going on with this love to theatre on the national scale?
Russian women and theatre
When people from Russia talk about ‘theatre’, they never mean a movie theatre. If they talk about a place to see motion pictures, they would say ‘cinema’.
‘Theatre’, when mentioned by a lady from Russia, always means life performances: musicals, comedy, drama, opera, ballet, etc.
Just like in Philippines most females can sing and dance, in Russia they are into theatre. This could be the best way to put it.
This passion is more typical among females, who get more joy from cultural pursuits than Russian men, who mostly enjoy drinking in the company of friends as their choice of pastime. Women who live in large cities (population over 500,000) and are educated (have a degree) will most likely be fans of live performances.
It may be that they simply love the chance to dress up, since you are still expected to be dressed to tops when going to a performance. The whole procedure is ceremonial, filled with glamour. It should be also noted that tickets to live performances in Russia could be purchased cheaper than movie tickets to see a Hollywood blockbuster. So, it’s rather affordable to see a play or a musical for Russian ladies.
As kids at school, most ladies perform in drama and short skits. Grownups go to see musicals, opera, ballet, drama, and comedy. There are puppet theatres and special companies that gear to youth, so this passion to enjoy drama of a live performance is instilled from the young age.
If you want to impress a lady from the former Soviet Union who lives in a large city, ask about her interest in theatre. Read on to get some facts, so you know what to talk about.
Statistics
A recent survey by WCIOM.ru demonstrated that the popularity of live performances increased in Russia as compared to a poll from a decade ago. The share of people who never been to a live performance of a play dropped from 22% to 18%, while the share of respondents that practically don’t go to such shows decreased from 48% to 34%.
1 in 5 Russians goes to see a live performance several times a year, with 5% of them attending shows several times a month.
Rating of Russian theatres
Below if the list of best companies that scored over 1% mentions in the survey.
- The Bolshoi is the most popular company that everybody knows. In the rating it scores the highest number of mentions: 12%.
- Contemporary (“Sovremennik“) attracted 6% of devotees.
- Mariinski in St. Petersburg scored 4%.
- Lenkom, Little Theatre (“Malyj Teatr“), MHAT, Taganka, and The Theatre of Satire each got 3% of votes.
If you are thinking of seeing a play when in Russia, these are the places to consider!
Popular theatre plays
When asked about popular plays, the list of results is even longer.
- Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky got 6% of mentions.
- Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky scored 5% of all votes.
- The Master and Margarita, a modern play first shown by Taganka Theatre in Moscow in 1977, based on a famous novel by Michael Bulgakov: This production scored 3% of votes.
Data: WCIOM.ru
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Culture is a part of our life, our spiritual development. In such a great country like Russia, there are many theaters, whose names are on everyone’s lips. In these places of spiritual enrichment, talented actors play roles in the great plays of famous Russian playwrights. I think that’s why Russian girls are interested in theatre
I think that theatres are so popular, because the love of art is instilled from childhood. Theatres are magnificent, because they are historic buildings. That is why when people go in they feel connected with their ancestors. This is also the reason for the love of art.
It’s true, nothing compares to theater! During live performance you feel so much involved, it is just you and actors on the stage, real size, 3D! :)) Russian girls are really emotional and impressionable…
It’s true, for example, I really like going to theaters and to ballet because it is very interesting and unusual in our time. Entering the cinema is no longer as original as bringing your beloved into the theater, where the actors play a wonderful performance and where romantic music plays
I think theatres are amazing! I love everything about it: the atmosphere, the audience, the actors, the plays, literally everything. I also like dressing up all fancy when I go to a theatre. 🙂 It’s a good way to meet new people you share some interests with, too.
Theater audiences in Russia is woman! I think 70-80%! They are generally most of the audience of cultural events.
So if you want to find intelligence Russian woman you’ll have to visit Russian theaters)))
I think that everyone likes to go to the theater, because every time you discover something new. This is our culture, this is meeting new people. Each time you learn new information and begin to perceive everything differently. For me there is nothing better than to spend some evening with good company in the theater.
I am Russian woman, and I really love theatre. Although I do not go there quite often due to full-time work. There is also sometimes an obstacle with the price – some good plays are really in high price so going to the theatre is not something like everyday entertainment.
It is true that Russian theatre is great and actors are amazing.
Theater for Russian ladies is a part of their life, it is the art of theater to present themselves in society, they are different from other women, their life is art to present themselves, knowledge, grace, charisma is all there are women who love theater like living life that revolves around them, cinema is not for them because they are women nymphs, divas, women who are theater-goers in life are attracted to art, like in the theater, the opposite sex who admires them
I am so proud for our nation that we prefer theatre. It really reflects wealth of our souls, our deep respect for the great authors and their masterpieces. I saw the Master and Margarita play and it’s absolutely fantastic and deeply moved me. I hope going to the theatre will never be substituted with surfing the Internet and watching American TV-shows!
I think that it is more a tradition and a sign of a good education. I am not particularly fond of theater, but I go there when in Russia because it is a “must”. The nasty thing is that often Russians go to theater with underage children who spoil by their conversations and moves the impression of the performance for other spectators. Although it is forbidden to bring to theater children under 12, many people do so.
Most of Russian women received classical education with great attention to the best examples of literature and art. That is where due their nature sensitivity they studied to appreciate theatre too. For Russian women theatre is a wonderful world of talented people and outstanding emotions. They are also keen to picture galleries. Having a date just offer to visit some of these places and you will rise in her opinion.
Theatre is a magical word, it can give you such emotions that cinema will never be alble to provide. I would be really glad if the man invited me to the theatre. I could see that he is intellegent and interested in culture, that he has some original ideals. If you go to the theatre together, that can bring your relationship on a new level.
😀 😀 😀 You see guys? 😉 Russian women are totally emotional about “going to a theatre”. Honestly, I don’t know what’s the big deal with it, modern movies are much more impressive if you watch them on big screen in a cinema, as intended, as opposed to downloading them and watching on TV or computer screen. I don’t feel emotional about going to a theatre to see a play, but Russian girls do. Obviously, there are some excellent actors and live performances can be enjoyable and it’s very cool, to see the famous actor or actress to do the… Read more »