Russian Theatre, Moscow (1766–1769)

The Russian Theatre in Moscow, active from 1766 to 1769, represents an early attempt to establish a permanent, state-supported public theatre performing in the Russian language. It was founded by theatrical entrepreneur Nikolai Titovich Serdiukov under the patronage of Catherine the Great, who sought to promote Russian culture and arts.

Serdiukov's theatre was located in the Znamensky Monastery district. Its repertoire initially consisted of translations of foreign plays, mainly French comedies, but also included original Russian works, though these were less frequent. The company faced numerous challenges, including financial difficulties, attracting a consistent audience, and competing with already established private theatres catering to the nobility.

The theatre's brief existence was marked by struggles for survival. Serdiukov faced constant financial pressures and bureaucratic hurdles. Despite Catherine the Great's initial support, the theatre struggled to establish itself as a viable cultural institution. Ultimately, the Russian Theatre in Moscow closed its doors in 1769, marking an early, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, step in the development of professional Russian-language theatre. The closure highlights the difficulties faced by early theatrical endeavors in establishing a foothold in a society where theatrical patronage was largely concentrated among the aristocracy and foreign influence was significant. Its legacy lies primarily in demonstrating the challenges of creating a sustainable Russian-language theatre during this period.