Mark Zakharov expected a senseless Russian-style mutiny to happen in Ukraine

They say that "Lencom" theatre is slow to move. Maybe this is just the reason why its visits are so notable for the people of cities where it comes for its tours, all of a sudden?  Anyway, after a five-year long pause the crew headed by Mark Zakharov found itself in Kiev again. (Well, some actors came here during this interval of time, and more than once, but they came as actors of non-repertory theatre). During several days "Lencom" will show three performances here, including the "City of Millionairs", the theatrical fantasy after Eduardo De Filippo's play. Gennadiy Khazanov, Inna Churikova and Sergey Stepanchenko will play the leading roles here. Then "Va-Bank" performance directed by Mark Zakharov will follow, with Alexander Zbruev and Victor Rakov. The tour will end with "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" performance, which will be shown in the last three days.

Before the start of their performances, the "Lencom" crew held a press conference on the small stage of the Russian Drama Theatre. The press conference could have become a separate performance in itself. What would you give to see Zakharov, Churikova, Khazanov and Stepanchenko sitting at the same table and giving answers to the questions asked by journalists?

However, Ms Churikova turned out to be not very talkative, beyond her stage images. But Mark Zakharov, with his cowboy shirt on under his jacket was as eloquent and epigrammatic, as ever. He said that he had always been with Ukraine, with all his heart and soul, and was following the political developments, expecting that a senseless and ruthless, Pushkin-style mutiny would happen here.  But the Ukrainian revolution here was bloodless, thanks God. He said about the ticklish relations between Ukraine and Russia: "We still share a common cultural space".

Mr. Zakharov also stigmatised modern Russian drama saying that the object of Presnyakov brothers' and Nikolay Kolyada's dramas are often drug addicts and people having some abnormalities.  The master shared his secrets: he makes the actors improvise during every performance, so none of the performances ever looks like any other one. Mr. Zakharov also said that he likes to have performances in Ukraine, as the Dnepropetrovsk and Kiev audiences often capture some nuances better than the most sophisticated Moscow public.

When asked about how he found himself in that company, Mr. Khazanov answered that he has known Mark Zakharov for forty-two years. It took this many years for the two friends to be in the same project. "The cup with the drink called "stand-up comedy" has been emptied by now", Mr. Khazanov said, when asked about his past on stage. The former student of the "culinary college" will play the part of Inna Churikova's husband, or rather that of her character's Filumena Marturano, in the "City of Millionairs". Before Gennadiy Khazanov, Inna Churikova's partners were the actors Gigarkhanyan and Karachentsov. The actor said that he tries not to think about his predecessors, when acting, and hopes to become her last husband.

Mr. Khazanov informed that he was eager to see Victor Chernomyrdin at the performance. «We can't wait to see Victor Stepanovich Chernomyrdin», he said. The actor highly esteems the Russian ambassador in Ukraine for his unique aphorisms, and the official's sense of humour is just inimitable. «Eduardo de Filippo is a prominent dramatist, of course, but the wittiness of Victor Stepanovich leaves Eduardo de Filippo far behind (the latter is the author of "Filumena Marturano", on whose play the production is based. - Author's comment)", Mr. Khazanov said.

Mr. Stepanchenko will stay in Kiev for the longest period of time. And that's not because he has a Ukrainian surname, but because he takes part in all three performances. The actor plans to become an ordinary tourist:  he will visit the Podol, take a walk along the Andreevsky Spusk. So, be attentive if you want to have his autograph. 

And now, let's talk about the main point. It would be justified, if you asked: Won't they bring shame on themselves? Don't we remember a number of Moscow actors who, profiting by their famous names, brought to Ukraine some low-standard performances, which you'd feel ashamed to attend yourself - let alone to take your girlfriend with you?   This one will, most likely, be an exception. The settings that the theatre brought for its tour are a guarantee for this. They have the weight of 40 (forty!) tons, and you can live in there! 68 actors take part in the shows, and the backstage staff of 47 persons supports the performances.  They did not take this money out of their own pockets, of course. Everything was paid by Victor Pinchuk Fund, but, why bring all these beautiful settings to show a mediocre performance? So, "Lencom" will not bring a shame on itself, hopefully. 

The theatre will give 9 performances in Kiev, all in all. The "City of Millionaires" will be on stage of the Russian Drama Theatre till March 1. Then "Lencom" will move to the International Centre for Culture and Arts (Octyabrsky palace). From March 3 till March 5 "Va-Bank" will be shown, and on March 8-10 - "Flying over the Cuckoo's Nest".  The prices for the tickets range from 20 to 950 UAH. This is the average pay for the performances by Moscow guest actors, as the tour's organizers said.

Anton Zikora

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