The presentation of the MK Theater Prize was hot, bright, sparkling

The MK Theater Prize has a main tradition: each ceremony, always fast-paced and fiery, is full of surprises. The 28th Theater Prize began with a surprise from Pavel Gusev, who presented Marina Raikina with a special award: the Editor-in-Chief Award for 30 years of professional flight. And on this sunny first day of November, a constellation of young and venerable masters gathered in the editorial office. Among them are Viktor Sukhorukov, Igor Kostolevsky, Alexander Semchev, Galina Tyunina, Olga Prokofieva, Svetlana Amanova, Marina Khazova, Alexander Oleshko, Viktor Dobronravov, Polina Agureeva, Konstantin Bogomolov, Vladimir Pankov, Maxim Obrezkov and many others. According to established tradition, every second person remembered Oleg Pavlovich Tabakov, who was the mascot of our award for many years. But first things first.

The first person to appear at the 28th MK Theater Prize was Alexander Oleshko, who was to receive an award for his unexpected role as Paul I in the play of the same name.

At the start of the ceremony, presenter Marina Raikina noted that our award was received “fairly, for talent, but no one canceled the connection.” The joke, which was only part of a joke, was picked up by MK editor-in-chief Pavel Gusev, who remembered Oleg Pavlovich Tabakov, who, despite everything, from the first day of the award’s existence, came to the presentation, and each of his appearances turned into a short and bright one-man show. Pavel Nikolaevich also played in Tabakov’s “tone,” announcing that he had established a special award for the editor-in-chief. And at the very moment when Marina Raikina raised her eyebrows in surprise, she was presented with a special premium plate and a bouquet of tulips. And then away we go. The fastest award went into a frenzy…

The first to take the stage were the young stars, who will soon, you will see, flare up with incredible power: director Askar Galimov, who staged the best graduation performance at GITIS. He has already been invited to perform in leading capital theaters. Following him, the award went to Ivan Ryabenko from the Pyotr Fomenko Workshop (best supporting role in the play “The Cherry Orchard”), Anton Savvatimov, the blond mime from the play of the same name, demonstrated his skill with the help of contrasting intonations, which he literally sang in one breath. Next is the duet of young Vakhtangov players Ivan Zakhava and Polina Rafeeva (“Warsaw Melody. Crossroads”).

In the nomination “Best Actress” she was shared by two actresses: Vasilisa Perelygina from the Chekhov Moscow Art Theater (the role of Chernova in “The New Optimistic”) and Lyubov Konstantinova from the Theater. Gogol (the role of Katerina in the play “The Thunderstorm. Temptation”). For Lyubov, this role is the first on the Moscow stage; before that, she worked in St. Petersburg at the Lev Dodin Theater.

The “Beginners” category began with a surprise and ended with it: the venerable director Teresa Durova (who won in the “Masters” category) was in a hurry to see her “Mayakovsky”, because in the evening it was played not in her own theater, but in the Philharmonic. In fact, for this production she received the MK award. “We were not alone with our Mayakovsky,” the director immediately went into a dive, recalling that there were many events around the poet’s anniversary, including theatrical ones. “But I couldn’t be defeated because I’m a woman!” That’s it: I ran to the Philharmonic.” And she flew away.

The “Half-Maitres” category was opened by Sergei Girin (Perchikhin, “Meshchane”, “Contemporary”), remembering not only Oleg Pavlovich Tabakov, but also Galina Volchek, whom he quoted: “Thank God that there is theater: it allows you to disconnect from everything that is impossible, what happens in the world”. The lyrical note was picked up by Olga Voronina, who accepted a signature plate from MK for her role as the Minister of Culture in the play New Optimistic (best supporting actress). She dedicated this award to her dad, who lives in the Urals. Even before the ceremony began, the actress of the Moscow Art Theater named after. Chekhova admitted: “I know that Oleg Pavlovich Tabakov was here every year, and for me this is very important. The award is very sincere, real and adequate. And I am pleased that this first professional award of mine is yours.”

For Varvara Nasonova, who received the award for best actress in the play “Labardance” at STI, this is also her first award. The best male role was shared by two handsome men – Alexander Oleshko (Paul I in the play of the same name at the Vakhtangov Theater) and Viktor Dobronravov, who played Mozart on the Historical Stage of the same theater. Oleshko was the first to take the floor, starting with a joke: he admitted that two years ago he had already shared an award from MK with Dobronravov, only with Fedor. “So it’s time for them to adopt me!” I also noticed a distinctive feature of the MK Theater Award: only here everything is clear to everyone – who receives the award and for what. “At other ceremonies you usually think: what is this one doing here, and what is that one doing? But not at MK!”

Next was director Vladimir Pankov – he took the plate for the best musical and dramatic performance “Skomorokh Pamphalon” at the Center for Drama and Directing. He is one of those who already has a whole set of dishes. Pavel Gusev joked about this: “We will soon start making premium spoons and mugs.” In contrast, the artistic director of the Gogol Theater Anton Yakovlev is in MK for the first time. Accepting the award, he admitted that young people call him a punk – which means his theater is modern and youthful.

The “Half-Maters” nomination was closed by Konstantin Bogomolov, whose cast has already been on the “MK” stage. “The New Optimistic” – the most relevant and witty production – received five nominations.

The masters, unlike the beginners and half-masters, were extremely laconic. Viktor Sukhorukov, whose role in the work “Happy Days” was awarded in the “Solo Performance” category, simply bowed. But after the ceremony, he said something important: “All of us here are a continuation, and let this continuation be strong, high-quality and useful.” Alexey Frandetti, who took home the prize for his first puppet musical, staged at the Obraztsov Theater, was equally brief and elegant. Igor Kostolevsky, Olga Prokofieva, Galina Tyunina, Marina Khazanova, Svetlana Amanova, Alexander Semchev shone at the finale of the ceremony with the brightness of genuine stars. The last to accept the “Person of the Year” award was Kirill Krok for recreating Vakhtangov’s house in Vladikavkaz.

In short, the 28th Prize was hot, bright and sparkling. And its mascot remained Oleg Pavlovich Tabakov, who during his lifetime did not miss a single ceremony, and after his departure became the guardian angel of our award. It seems his spirit was present at the ceremony.

Published in the newspaper “Moskovsky Komsomolets” No. 29149 dated November 2, 2023

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Hot, bright, sparkling