The theatre — the first theatre on the Left Bank of Kyiv — was established on 7 September 1978. On this day, the first gathering of the troupe took place. The first premiere, the performance “The Highest Point – Love” by R. Fedenyov, was held on 21 April 1979, in the premises of what is now the Brodsky Choral Synagogue (formerly the Republican Puppet Theatre at 13 Shota Rustaveli Street).
Following “The Highest Point,” the troupe endured three years of wandering across various stages in the capital. A truly unique period in the theatre’s history occurred during the winter months of 1979, when eight plays were rehearsed simultaneously (with an additional one added in February). Such an intense schedule is rare in theatre practice. Beginning on 15 April, two performances were rehearsed every evening: one from 6 pm to 9 pm, and another from 10 pm to 2 am. During this time, the actors also worked as stagehands and electricians.
In May 1982, the city authorities granted the troupe, led by Eduard Mytnytsky, the Customs building, which had previously housed the “Cosmos” cinema. Within its walls, the “Theatre in the Foyer” was created, becoming the first small stage in Kyiv and Ukraine at the time.
The theatre, as it is known today, officially opened on 21 December 1990, with the play “I’m Always Your Bride” by Otar Ioseliani.
Currently, the Theatre on the Left Bank has more than 50 performances in its repertoire, a busy schedule of premieres, a star-studded troupe featuring some of the country’s best actors, and ambitious plans for the future that are sure to be realised.
In February 2019, a new leadership team took over the theatre, with Stas Zhirkov serving as director-artistic director (until November 2022) and Tamara Trunova as chief director.
On 9 March 2022, the play “Bad Roads,” directed by Tamara Trunova, won the Shevchenko Prize-2022 in the “Theatrical Art” nomination.
In 2023, Olesya Zhurakivska became the director-artistic director of the theatre. She will lead the theatre during martial law until a competition for the position is held.
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