ABOUT

The Golden Mask is the National Theatre Award established in 1994 by the Theatre Union of Russia and is given to productions in all genres of theatre art: drama, opera, ballet, operetta and musical, and puppet theatre. The Golden Mask is also an All-Russian Theatre Festival that, in the spring of each year, presents to the capital the most significant performances from all over Russia.

Golden Mask is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the RF Theatre Union and the Moscow Government. The General Partner of the Festival is Sberbank of Russia.

The participants are selected by two Boards of Experts that include reputed theatre critics. The Jury of the Golden Mask Festival is composed of well-known actors, directors, conductors, choreographers, and theatre artists.

The culmination of the Golden Mask is the Award Ceremony. The ceremony takes place on Moscow’s most famous stages and is broadcast by the national television channel.

The authority of the Golden Mask Award and its special role are recognized by professionals, the public, and the mass media alike. Organization of the annual Festival and Award Ceremony is the main activity of the Golden Mask Festival. At the same time, the Golden Mask has initiated some major theatre events, including the Festival of contemporary plays “New Drama”; the Russian Case Programme - showcase of Russian theatre which is addressed to foreign visitors of the Golden Mask Festival, PRO-TEATR Performing Arts Market, the publication of the book “The End of a Theatrical Epoch”; touring performances of the Bolshoi, the Mariinsky, the Alexandrinsky, the Maly Drama and other leading Russian theatres.

An important activity of the Golden Mask is the programme “The Best of Russian Theatre in Russian Cities”. The programme is supported by the Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography and aims to present Golden Mask nominees and winners in Russian provinces.

Since 2005 the Golden Mask has been developing its activity in the field of international cultural cooperation presenting the best of the Russian theatre in the Baltic countries. Golden Mask festivals in Estonia and Latvia have become important annual events supported by the RF Ministry of Culture and the state and municipal governments in both countries.

The 16th edition of the Golden Mask festival will be held from March 27 till April 15, 2010. The Awards Ceremony will take place on April 16, 2010 at the Gostiniy Dvor. The Ceremony will be broadcast by the Culture TV Channel.

GOLDEN MASK PROJECTS IN THE SEASON OF 2009 – 2010:

September 16 – October 8, 2009
Festival “GOLDEN MASK IN ST.PETERSBURG”
The Festival presented the most significant Russian productions made in the last few years.

October 2009
Festivals “GOLDEN MASK IN THE BALTIC COUNTRIES”
“Golden Mask in Estonia”
“Golden Mask in Latvia”
“The Best of Russian Theatre in Vilnius”

“THE BEST OF RUSSIAN THEATRE IN RUSSIAN CITIES”
2009 – Omsk, Taganrog, Novosibirsk
2010 – Petrozavodsk, Yaroslavl, Tyumen, Cherepovetsts

February – March, 2010
“THE PREMIERES OF THE MARIINSKIY”
January 31,
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO
February 1 and 2,
DIE FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN
March 2 and 3,
THE LITTLE HUMPBACKED HORSE
March, 4
ONE ACT BALLET EVENING: Scotch Symphony, In the Night, Theme and Variations

March – April, 2010
“MASKA PLUS”

March 24, 25
“LEGENDARY PRODUCTIONS AND ARTISTS”
DIDO AND AENEAS by Mark Morris Dance Company (US)

March 27 – April 15, 2010
MAIN (COMPETITION) PROGRAMME
April 17, 2010
Ceremony of Awards

October, 2010
“THE PREMIERES OF THE ALEXANDRINSKIY THEATRE IN MOSCOW”

October, 2010
Festivals “GOLDEN MASK IN THE BALTIC COUNTRIES”
“Golden Mask in Estonia. The best productions from St. Petersburg”
“Golden Mask in Latvia. The best productions from St. Petersburg”