The development of the Russian classics by the drama theatres in the context of the cultural identity of region

The article reviews the problem of the interpretation of Russian classical drama on the Kuban stage in the 21st century. The analysis is based on the performances of the Gorky Krasnodar Drama Theatre and the Krasnodar Youth Theatre. The author identifies two main trends of the process: the active expansion of the repertoire by authors and titles and the obvious narrowing of the semantics of the works when they are transferred to the dramatic scene. The author supposes that the causes of disparities have historical background: the de-ideologization of the creative process, the desire through the freedom of choice to acquire new, relevant stage language. It is noted that the artistic results of the interpretations are far from the stated intentions and director's declarations. The attitude of modern directing to social reality is marked by persistent irony and sarcasm. The author argues that the theatrical works of contemporary directors are distinguished by a lack of a sense of lyricism and empathy as well as spiritual pain which lie at the basis of the great Russian drama of the past two centuries.