took place (pictured before the
First World War) The building dates back to 1892, when a small Russian municipal theatre designed by Kaunas province architect was built next to what is now known as the City Garden. The decision to build a Kaunas City Theatre was made in 1891, and the first play was staged there on January 9, 1892.
Renaissance Revival architecture was chosen as a style for the building, and it was built in the City Garden square. The two-story building incorporated a hall of in size. Spectators also could watch plays from the two-storey balcony rows. In the balconies, special loges were established for the
Governor of Kaunas and the commandant of
Kaunas Fortress. Kaunas became the
temporary capital during the period of the First Republic after World War I, and the building became one of the main stages of the State. It was also used for meetings of the City Council, and later the
Seimas (parliament). In 1930-1933, in 1959, the drama and musical theatre companies separated, In 1980–1984, a major renovation was completed by the Institute for the Restoration of Monuments, and in 2008, yet another major reconstruction and modernisation was again carried out.
Romas Kalanta set himself on fire in 1972 as a protest against the Soviet regime in the nearby square. ==Notable performances==