Theatrical activity of the military men in the cultural life of the cities of Western Siberia (late 19th - early 20th centuries)

Military men essentially and significantly contributed to the development of the theatrical culture of the cities of Western Siberia in the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries. The professional theatre in the Siberian province during this period was poorly developed. Therefore, the theatrical art here developed, mainly, in the form of amateur activity of various layers of the city society, including military men. Granting of military buildings for various mass actions was one of forms of assistance of military men to the development of entertainment culture in cities. Because of the absence of special theatrical premises in many cities, use of various military buildings was a widespread phenomenon: military meetings, military arenas, soldiers' barracks, tea rooms were used for theatrical performances, concerts, and other shows. Among officers, military officials and members of their families there were many fans of theatrical art who took an active part in the organization of theatrical performances, there were talented actors. Amateur performances organised by military intelligentsia collected numerous public. Many of performances were charity events. Officers were especially active theatrically in Omsk, Tobolsk, Tomsk, Tyumen, and Kokchetav. Soldiers' theatres were also important for the cultural life of the cities of the region. During this period the theatre becomes an educational means used by officers in training soldiers. Soldiers' performances were held in Omsk, Tomsk, Berezov, and Turinsk. Performing promoted intellectual, moral and esthetic development of soldiers, introduced the world of drama art, brought up the spectator culture, in the entertaining form acquainted them with the plots of the Bible and Russian history, fairy tales and bylinas. Soldiers' performances accompanied national celebrations, city holidays, charity events. Performances enjoyed wide popularity and success among the spectators from the lower class of urban population. The local public highly appreciated soldiers' theatres.

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