The Tyzenhaus Theater in Hrodna is an architectural monument of the 18th century and the first public theater in the city.

The theater building is an architectural monument dating back to the 18th century. Its construction began in 1772 by architects Johann Georg Möser and Giuseppe de Sacco. It is possible to get to the Tyzenhaus palace from the theater building through a covered walkway. In fact, the theater building was conceived as a continuation of the palace. The building included a main hall in the shape of a semicircle with an amphitheater and galleries. The scene consisted of five decorative plans. The stalls and twenty-two boxes were also located here.

When the theater troupe was created, it consisted mainly of Italian artists. However, they were gradually replaced by the students who studied at the Tyzenhaus Musical and Theater School of Hrodna. The formed troupe was professional and ranked among the best in Europe. After Tyzenhaus was removed from his posts, the troupe and the school moved to the Pastavy city, where it existed until 1785.

In 1802, the actress Salome Deschner claimed the intention to create a permanent theater group in Hrodna. She turned to the provincial administration with a request to rent the building of the Tyzenhaus theater. The request was granted, and the first professional city theater was created in Hrodna.

The theater building was repaired and rebuilt throughout the 19th century. In 1851, Victor Michaelis made an estimate for the renovation of the theater, which at that time was not even heated (there were no stoves). In 1859, after the reconstruction, the volume of the building was increased. The rebuilding continued in the 20th century. The balcony was added above the entrance to the theater in the 1920s, and in 1940 the third floor was added. In 1975, the hall and stage were expanded by reconstruction. In 1986, a major overhaul was made.

At different times, various creative teams worked in the theater building. From 1929 to 1939, the building housed the Polish theater named after Eliza Orzeszkowa. In 1940–1941 the State Polish Puppet Theater of the BSSR worked in the building, in 1945–1947 – the State Russian Drama Theater. Since 1947 the regional drama theater has been located there, since 1986 – the Hrodna Regional Puppet Theater. Unofficially, it is called the "Tyzenhaus Puppet Theater''.

Publication date: 10.06.2020.

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