Riga Russian Theater, Riga

The Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre, commonly known as the Russian Theatre, stands as a historic and cultural pillar in Riga. Established in 1883 and originally named the Riga Russian Drama Theatre, it is the oldest Russian-language drama theatre outside of Russia and the second oldest theatre in Riga, following the German Theatre.

From its inception, the theatre drew a diverse audience, reflecting the multicultural fabric of the region. Its early years were marked by growth and a golden age under the leadership of Konstantin Nezlobin from 1902 to 1915, during which the theatre's reputation flourished across Europe, with performances in major cities like Berlin, Stockholm, and Copenhagen.

World War I and the subsequent Latvian War of Independence (1918–20) brought challenges, including a temporary suspension of performances. However, the theatre resumed in 1922 under Latvia's new regime, continuing to thrive and tour extensively.

During the Soviet occupation starting in 1940, the theatre was nationalized and faced strict censorship, yet managed to preserve its traditions and pass them on to future generations. It did not operate during World War II but reopened thereafter, adapting to the changing political landscape.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Latvia's regained independence in the early 1990s, the theatre entered a new era of creativity. It was renamed in 2006 in honor of Michael Chekhov, a notable figure in the Latvian theatrical scene, who influenced the performing arts during his time in Riga from 1932 to 1934.

Today, under the leadership of Dana Bjorka since January 8, 2018, the Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre continues to innovate while offering a mix of classical and contemporary plays. It maintains Russian as its primary language but has increasingly presented bilingual shows in Russian and Latvian, reflecting its commitment to cultural inclusivity and adaptation in modern Latvia.