“Mournful songs” about the disastrous age of theater classics have been heard for a long time. Not the first century. And classical literature, both in its traditional form and in its dramatic form, does not think to leave the stage. In every sense of the word. Chekhov’s plays do not become obsolete. Like everything wise, honest, sincere, deep. International Theater Festival A.P. Chekhov this year was held for the tenth time. And how many surprises were in the past, in the year of the 150th anniversary of Anton Pavlovich!
Take, for example, the spectacle of Platonov, which was shown in June 2010 by the actors of the National Drama Center from the Spanish capital. Those who Madrid, were not disappointed with the expressive "southern" interpretation of our classic. Juan Mayorga did not pervert the Chekhov text, did not change anything in it, but only maximized the action.
In the fall of 2011, inveterate theater-goers discussed another landmark production: the Vakhtangov's Uncle Vanya, as interpreted by Rimas Tuminas. This is a rare example of combining one’s own vision of classics, modern reading and careful, even respectful attitude to the source material. The move is somewhat similar to the above: the author remains, his position is not distorted, but the “degree” of emotions is increased, as is the concentration of events.
Other Moscow also does not remain indifferent to the high notes of Chekhov's philosophy. The “School of the modern play” voiced “The Seagull” in a new way. In posters, her genre is listed as a “real operetta”. Yes, in comparison with the author’s definition of "comedy" it is even more original. But ... do not rush to conclusions. Composer Alexander Zhurbin wrote truly unique music. And the playwright Vadim Zhuk, at first glance, committed sacrilege: he rewrote the text of Anton Pavlovich in the style of a rhymed vaudeville.
It turns out funny and instructive. For two and a half hours the viewer unravels the rebus: if this is a comedy, then where did these penetrating notes of piercing longing come from? ..
"Seagull" is not forgotten in the province. Several times over the past decade, her characters have come to life on the small stage of the small northern town of Novodvinsk.
The director of the local folk theater Olga Payusova in November 2011 received the title of Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation. Including, and thanks to this creative feat. By the forces of amateur artists, the performance was staged more than once, and always - with full houses in the hall for several hundred seats.
As another classic said, and today's sages are quite Chekhov's simplicity!