Here the literary criticism of Leskov in aspect of a receptive esthetics is analyzed. In the critical texts the plot becomes universal, comprehensive category. The cycle of the theatrical reviews written in the author’s early writing period is exposed to the analysis. These texts are united by the general plot «theater» and are combined in the certain metatext, which gradually becomes self-sufficient and finishing during its creative comprehension. Ostrovsky’s plays and Leskov’s own works in the field of dramatic art stay in the focus of the author’s attention. Uniqueness and originality of Leskov’s critical texts are brightly expressed in the author’s position, in the underlined literary, but not professionally theatrical approach to the analyzed phenomena as well as in the unique style and language.