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Gleb Sitkovsky. Ten performances of the week: December 11-17
Ten performances of the week: December 11-17
Gleb Sitkovsky
Publication date: December 9, 2000
Gleb Sitkovsky
Publication date: December 9, 2000
"Kitchen" by M. Kurochkin. Directed by Oleg Menshikov. "Theatrical Partnership 814" on the stage of the Mossovet Theater.
Who will you meet in this performance? The noble Kriemhild (Oksana Mysina) from the epic of the Nibulengs swears in verse to avenge the death of her husband. Beavis and Butt-head are blaring from the TV. The poor cooks and spoon washers from an ordinary restaurant, who by chance found themselves drawn into a showdown between the Nibelungs, are slightly dizzy. The audience does too. The performance has not yet fully established itself, but we must pay tribute to Oleg Menshikov: for the first time in many years, a domestic enterprise is taking on the adaptation of such serious and interesting drama. (Detailed reviews)
December 12, 13
"Uncle's Dream" by F. Dostoevsky. Directed by Vladimir Ivanov. Theater named after Vakhtangov.
Before the performance, everyone thinks that this is a benefit performance of Vladimir Etush (Prince K.). But leaving the hall, you understand that this was a benefit performance for Maria Aronova. To the accompaniment of her warlike march, Marya Alexandrovna Moskaleva, pulling down her cocked hat, leads her troops into battle. The comic incident with the sleepy, senile uncle somehow naturally fades into the background. The play could even be renamed “The Story of a Lost Battle.” (Detailed reviews)
December 15
"Masquerade" by M. Lermontov. Directed by Viktor Shamirov. Theater named after Stanislavsky.
The premiere may be postponed because the actor playing Arbenin, Sergei Shakurov, is said to have something wrong with his legs. So keep an eye on the poster. It is reliably known that Shamirov’s original diligently avoids realistic or, God forbid, everyday intonations. Therefore, for example, Nina here is not at all angelic - she is played by the character actress Irina Grineva (who brilliantly played Marina Mnishek in Declan Donnellan). But the Unknown is not in the play at all: the entire motley masquerade crowd takes on the functions of Arbenin’s pursuer.
December 15
"Master Class" T. McNally, dir. Victor Shamirov. "Independent theater project" on the stage of the Variety Theater.
The American playwright tried to reveal all the human secrets taken to the grave by the great prima donna Maria Callas. The extravagant Tatyana Vasilyeva is very similar to the marvelous-voiced Callas. Especially if you look in profile. And the performance of the "Independent Theater Project" enterprise is very similar to a Broadway show. Again, if you look at it in profile. (Detailed reviews)
December 11th
"Love Letters" by A. Gurney. Directed by Evgeniy Kamenkovich. Theater under the direction of Oleg Tabakov on the stage of the branch of the Mayakovsky Theater.
Another example of a well-done Broadway play. At a long table, standing across the proscenium, there are two actors. Without moving from their place, they read their letters to each other aloud for two hours. Every now and then you hear: “Dear Andrew!”, “Dear Melissa!” The story of a lifelong love correspondence might seem boring or sentimental to some. But on stage are Olga Yakovleva and Oleg Tabakov. At least let these people read the phone book! (Detailed reviews)
12 December
"At the Bottom" by M. Gorky. Directed by Adolph Shapiro. Theater under the direction of Oleg Tabakov.
On the tiny stage of "Tabakerka" you can't really do much. But director Shapiro played up the inevitable crampedness and overcrowding in such a space in his own way. “At the Lower Depths” is a close-up performance, the kind of work that any artist dreams of. From the mass of unhappy people swarming in the dark basement, the gaze catches first one face and then another. Almost all of the acting is good, but the best are Oleg Tabakov (Luka), Alexander Filippenko (Satin), Andrey Smolyakov (Actor). (Detailed reviews)
December 13, 14
"Woe from Wit" by A. Griboyedov. Directed by Sergei Zhenovach. Maly Theatre.
Gleb Podgorodinsky seems to be the shyest of the Chatskys. Yuri Solomin seems to be the most fussy of the Famusovs. You should see how he jumps to open the vent for Skalozub. Sergei Zhenovach, without speaking out against the traditions of Maly, did not follow their lead. Griboedov's text sounds like it was just composed. (Detailed reviews)
December 14
"Simultaneously". Author and performer Evgeny Grishkovets. "School of Modern Drama".
Let's say you are sitting in the theater. December 15 at 21.30. And at the same time, somewhere far, far away, the driver is driving a train on a long journey and thinking about home. And also high, high, a pilot in a leather helmet looks absentmindedly at the ground. You never know what else happens at that moment when you are sitting in the theater and listening to a short man with an unromantic appearance telling you about everything. Evgeny Grishkovets is the most amazing and most surprised character on our stage. By the way, keep in mind that Grishkovets performs his performances only once a month, when he comes to Moscow from Kaliningrad especially for this purpose.
December 15 (starts at 21.30)
"City of Millionaires" based on the play "Filumena Marturano" by E. De Filippo. Directed by Roman Sangin. "Lenkom".
From an old play by Eduardo De Filippo, whom Italian neorealists loved so much, Zakharov, together with his student Roman Sangin, decided to make a normal family drama. The performance was a real victory for Inna Churikova (Filumena) and Armen Dzhigarkhanyan (Domenico). Dzhigarkhanyan has not had such strong work for a long time. (Detailed reviews)
December 15, 16
"Double bass" by P. Suskind. Directed by Elena Nevezhina. "Satyricon".
On the vast Satyricon stage there is only Konstantin Raikin and his double bass, to whom he addresses either with enthusiastic speeches or curses. The little man from Patrick Suskind's play dreams of valor, of exploits, of glory, but instead spends his whole life somewhere on the outskirts of a large symphony orchestra. One of the best roles in Raikin’s artistic career. (Detailed reviews)
December 17
"Macbeth" by U. Shakespeare. Bagatela Theater (Krakow) on the stage of the Theater on Mały Bronnoy.
The Polish "Macbeth" will be of interest mainly to those who love the actor Alexander Domogarov. The fact is that Malaya Bronnaya decided to make a change with “Bagatela”. In November, they staged Andrei Zhitinkin’s play “Nijinsky, God’s Crazy Clown” in Krakow, where Domogarov plays the main role. Well, this weekend Domogarov will speak Polish. Warsaw director Waldemar Swigasiewicz invited him to play the role of Macbeth in his production. Maybe it will be interesting.
December 16, 17