What Kazan says about Kamal Theatre
Visitors share mixed impressions of staff, facilities, and shows at the new venue.
More than six months have passed since the new Kamal Theatre (Teatr Kamala, Galiaskar Kamal Tatar State Academic Theatre) opened to the general public. In that time, both positive and negative reviews have accumulated. We look at what people are writing and seek the theatre’s comment.
Visitors have noted «terrible treatment by the security guards» and an unfriendly staff.
«We visited this theatre twice. What can I say: inside it’s very beautiful and grand; to stroll around — yes, but there is no desire to go there again. The staff are rude, unfriendly, arrogant. The buffets don’t work. The second time we went to “1,001 Nights” — the attitude toward visitors was, to put it mildly, boorish; it felt as if we had come into their home uninvited and climbed into their bed with our shoes on. And the production itself — disgusting», wrote Tatyana on 12 September.
Exterior and interior draw attention, with public spaces around Lake Kaban attracting visitors.
«Outside — beautiful; inside — beautiful. But when you visit, you run into the fact that the stalls in the toilets don’t lock, the food in the buffets is dried out, and there are suspicions it isn’t fresh», wrote an anonymous user on 27 September.
Some patrons report issues with ticket kiosks, security interactions, and buffet food quality.
«You are met with negativity: when you ask the security guard to let you go to the box office, he sends you to the self‑service terminal and won’t let you approach the box office. The terminal was glitching badly; 6,000 were debited, but there were no tickets. The guy sitting by the terminal can’t help, then calls a manager who also can’t help with anything», reported Gulzada on 20 September.
«Horrible behavior from a guard! We decided to take a look at this new theatre while walking by. At the entrance, an elderly female guard stopped us — apparently thinking she works as a bouncer — with the words “Hey, where are you going?” and continued speaking a millimeter from my face. Without ever having attended a performance, we already have no desire to visit», recounted an anonymous user on 16 September.
«Five stars only for the performance and the actors; everything else — zero. Before the performance there were five sandwiches and two kystybyy (Tatar stuffed flatbread) — for such a huge crowd they can’t organize a decent buffet, with sky-high prices», wrote an anonymous user on 25 September.
Positive comments can also be found. People praise the productions and the building’s interior.
Others praise productions, architecture, and the theatre’s role in promoting Tatar culture.
«A very interesting building», noted a user on 23 September.
«Everything is well maintained, with many pretty spots for photo shoots. Lake Kaban (Kazan) is like a work of art in its own right», wrote Kseniya on 24 September.
«A wonderful theatre. It only gets better with the years. I’m very pleased there are no pushy vendors in the lobby. A sea of emotions! So professional and fabulous! Magic!», noted Irina on 17 September.
The former building on Tatarstan Street now houses the Tinchurin Theatre company.
«A very beautiful, new theatre. An interesting show. An immersion into Tatar culture and language», wrote Alexander on 15 September.
The Kamal Theatre’s press service told us they personally respond to every comment. So we look at the replies. The theatre apologizes to dissatisfied audience members and explains why various inconveniences occurred.
Management states it responds to every comment and will improve guest experience.
«We sincerely apologize for the inconveniences you encountered during your visit. Your remarks will be forwarded to our team for further review. We understand that the comfort of our guests is a priority and will work to eliminate the shortcomings you have identified», the theatre notes in its response.
Let us recall that the Teatr Tinchurina, Karim Tinchurin Tatar State Theater of Comedy and Drama (Tinchurin Theatre), relocated to the building on Tatarstan Street where the Kamal Theatre previously stood. The first performances there are scheduled for 22 October.
