Editing Vilnius (section)

===Theatre===
[[File:Page in Latin of theatre program dedicated to Algirdas, 1687.jpg|thumb|left|150px|1687 [[Latin]] page of a theatre program dedicated to [[Algirdas]], which was performed in Vilnius]]
The Lithuanian Grand Dukes' entertainment at the castle, rulers' visits abroad and guests' meetings had theatrical elements. During [[Sigismund III Vasa]]'s residence in Vilnius in the early 17th century, English actors performed at the palace. Władysław IV Vasa established a professional opera theatre in the Lower Castle in 1635, where ''[[dramma per musica|drammas per musica]]'' were performed by the Italian Virgilio Puccitelli. The performances had basic, luxurious scenography.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seniausių laikų Lietuvos teatras |url=https://www.vle.lt/Straipsnis/seniausiu-laiku-Lietuvos-teatras-118076 |website=vle.lt |access-date=17 November 2019}}</ref>

A Jesuit School Theatre existed between the 16th and 18th centuries, with its first performance (''Hercules'' by S. Tucci) in 1570 in Vilnius. Baroque aesthetics prevailed at the theatre, which also had [[Middle Ages|medieval]] retrospectives, Renaissance elements, [[Rococo]] motifs, and an educational function. Performances were in Latin, but elements of the Lithuanian language were included and some of the works had Lithuanian themes ([[Play (theatre)|plays]] dedicated to [[Algirdas]], Mindaugas, Vytautas and other Lithuanian rulers).<ref>{{cite web |title=Mokyklinis teatras Lietuvos teritorijoje |url=https://www.vle.lt/Straipsnis/mokyklinis-teatras-Lietuvos-teritorijoje-118061 |website=vle.lt |access-date=17 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="theatrevle">{{cite web |title=Lietuvos teatras |url=https://www.vle.lt/Straipsnis/Lietuvos-teatras-124143 |website=vle.lt |access-date=17 November 2019}}</ref>

[[Wojciech Bogusławski]] established Vilnius City Theatre, the city's first public theatre, in 1785. The theatre, initially in the Oskierka Palace, moved to the [[Radziwiłł Palace, Vilnius|Radziwiłł Palace]] and [[Town Hall, Vilnius|Vilnius Town Hall]]. Plays were performed in Polish until 1845, from 1845 to 1864 in Polish and Russian, and after 1864 in Russian. After the Lithuanian-language ban was lifted, plays were also performed in Lithuanian. The theatre closed in 1914.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vilniaus miesto teatras |url=https://www.vle.lt/Straipsnis/Vilniaus-miesto-teatras-117908 |website=vle.lt |access-date=17 November 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Lithuanian National Drama Theatre in Vilnius, Lithuania in 2023.jpg|thumb|alt=Exterior of a large, white building|The [[Lithuanian National Drama Theatre]]]]
During the interwar period (when the city was part of Poland), Vilnius was known for the modern, experimental Reduta troupe and institute led by [[Juliusz Osterwa]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Juliusz Osterwa |url=https://www.vle.lt/Straipsnis/Juliusz-Osterwa-656 |website=vle.lt |access-date=24 December 2019}}</ref> The Vilnius Lithuanian Stage Amateur Company ({{langx|lt|link=no|Vilniaus lietuvių scenos mėgėjų kuopa}}), established in 1930 and renamed Vilnius's Lithuanian Theatre, performed in the region. In 1945, it was merged with the [[Lithuanian National Drama Theatre]].<ref name="theatrevle" />

After the Soviet occupation of Lithuania in 1940, theatre became a means of disseminating Soviet ideology. Performances incorporated socialist realism, and a number of [[Russian Revolution|revolutionary]] plays by Russian authors were staged. A Repertory Commission was established under the Ministry of Culture to direct theatres, control repertoire, and permit (or ban) performances.<ref name="theatrevle" />

Theatre changed after Lithuanian independence.<ref name="theatrevle" /> The independent Vilnius City Opera blends classical and contemporary art. The Lithuanian National Drama Theatre, State Small Theatre of Vilnius, State Youth Theatre and a number of private theatre companies (including OKT/Vilnius City Theatre and the Anželika Cholina Dance Theatre) present classical, modern and Lithuanian plays directed by noted Lithuanian and foreign directors. There is also a Russian-language [[Old Theatre of Vilnius]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Events |url=http://www.teatrai.lt/events |website=teatrai.lt |access-date=17 November 2019}}</ref>