Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
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Kuklachev's Cat Theatre In 2026, the theater will celebrate its 36th anniversary. It's a significant milestone, and the theater itself has changed beyond recognition over the years. And it's not just the new sets or multimedia screens. Most importantly, the audience has changed. Now, entire families come to see performances—guests aged three to 93. And everyone leaves with their own unique impressions.
"Our performances must be multifaceted," says Honored Artist of Russia Dmitry Kuklachev. "So that adults can understand the plot, listen to good music, and enjoy the acoustics and lighting. And so that children can't switch off for a minute—this requires interactivity, tricks, and a constantly changing scene."
Previously, 20 or 30 years ago, the repertoire consisted of only two or three compact productions. Today, there are dozens, with multi-level sets, multimedia, and a truly immersive experience.
How to Freeze Like a Pro: Behind-the-Scenes Curiosities
Cats are independent creatures, always improvising, and this leads to unexpected, sometimes even humorous, situations on stage. Just a few months ago, the troupe welcomed a new performer—Obik the cat, who was found on tour in Obninsk: he approached his leg and began to cuddle, and Dmitry Kuklachev realized it was his destiny. The cat was nursed back to health, quarantined, and then the actor took the stage for the first time. He greeted the audience, turned to them, and froze. He stood rooted to the spot, motionless, staring into space, refusing to be called or to be gestured to.
"The audience laughs, I circle around him, but he doesn't react," recalls Dmitry Kuklachev. "Then I gently grab him by the tummy and lift him up, but he remains in the same pose, as if he's dead. I carry him backstage like a toy. There, I pet him—he comes to his senses, turns around, and calmly performs his trick. And after the performance, a journalist asked, 'How do you teach a cat to freeze so professionally?' I had to put on a serious face and say, 'It's years of training.'"
Frontline Cats: Rescue and Scene
Today, the theater's troupe includes over 200 furry performers. There are retired performers (around 30), the core cast (approximately 115), and kittens in training. And then there are those whose lives deserve a separate story.
In the middle of last year, three frontline cats arrived at the theater, rescued by volunteers: Glusha, a cat from the village of Glushkovo in the Kursk region; Holly, a cat who was rescued as a two-week-old blind kitten; and Vizha, a cat left pregnant on the front line. A shell hit the house, killing the kittens, and barely saving Vizha.
"When they arrived, they were three timid little bundles of fur," says Dmitry Kuklachev. "And now all three have taken the stage. I want to use them as an example: animals from new regions adapt very quickly; they understand and appreciate kindness. Don't be afraid to take them home."
Premieres: From Champion Cats to The Nutcracker
The theater has three troupes—Dmitry himself, his sister Ekaterina, and his brother Vladimir. Each performs one or two premieres a year.
In May, the play "Adventures of Champion Cats" is expected—a motivating story about how animals prepare for the Olympic Games, compete, and, of course, win. And by the end of the year, Dmitry plans to release "The Nutcracker"—the idea for the play has been brewing for a long time, and now, it seems, the time has come.
Vladimir Kuklachev recently presented The Cat and the Cook— a vibrant production starring himself. There's also a special program that takes Dmitry Kuklachev to the front lines.
"We perform in dugouts, in difficult conditions, together with Edgard Zapashny, Vlad Demin, and singer Alexey Maryanov. To support the guys, to show that the whole country is with them," he says.
Touring Donetsk and a museum full of stories
In early April, the theater will tour new regions for the first time – Donetsk, Luhansk, and two other small towns. This is a complex organizational task, but thanks to the support Moscow Department of Culture and local administrations succeeded.
"I think this will be the first sign," hopes Dmitry Kuklachev. "Other theaters will see our experience and start traveling with our support, too."
Plans include not only touring but also a renovation of the theater's museum. It will be interactive: the first exhibition will feature 120 photographs depicting animals in the trenches, alongside soldiers, and their companion cats. Each photo tells a story. A QR code will be placed under the image, allowing users to hover their phone over it to learn more about the exhibit.
Father and the School of Kindness
Despite soon turning 77, Yuri Kuklachev continues to perform and engage in charity work. His "School of Kindness" system has been integrated into educational programs across the country.
"When working with animals, the most important thing is calm," says Dmitry Kuklachev. "You need to respond to any behavior with gentleness and affection. And also, you need to be sensitive to the cat, to be on the same wavelength with it. My father taught me that."
And it seems that this is the main secret of the theatre, which has been gathering full houses of spectators of all ages for 36 years.
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