"Where are the theaters of St. Petersburg?": visitors were dissatisfied with the gloomy and incoherent exhibition "Scene of Action" in the Manege

The Scene of Action exhibition dedicated to theatrical art has been held in the Manege since September 25. It is positioned as a large-scale collection of 1,000 objects that explore the theater as a social phenomenon, "where art turns out to be much wider and stronger than the coordinates assigned to it." However, the Petersburgers who visited it did not share the enthusiasm of the creators and were disappointed with the exposition.

As the reader of "MK in St. Petersburg" said, the St. Petersburg theaters in the "Scene of Action" are practically not represented — basically everything is devoted to Moscow. His opinion is shared by many Internet users. Indeed, among the partners-organizers are the Moscow Art Theater, the Moscow Art Theater, the Bakhrushinsky Theater Museum, the Alexandrinsky Theater and the Museum of Theatrical and Musical Art. And only the last two organizations are from St. Petersburg.

Among other complaints, the reader of "MK in St. Petersburg" calls, for example, bad light and unrelated exhibits. Where the viewer should go is also unclear, the "navigation" inside the building is not configured. The "scene of action" for the organization is more like an ordinary beautiful place with rambling art objects than a deep exposition with many layers, Petersburgers note.

The organizers have not yet commented on the barrage of criticism that continues to spill over into their new project. The exhibition was timed to the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theater Workers of Russia. The "Scene of Action" will work in the Manege until February 14, 2027. The website states that the exposition is organized in "seven theatrical films", and the project itself is dedicated to the theater and its meeting with the audience.