Yarmolnik, Stebunov, Vetrov: Sovremennik opened the new season with memories of Galina Volchek

The actors paid tribute to the memory of the actress with personal stories.

The sign with the name of the project for Galina Volchek’s 90th birthday on Sovremennik can probably be seen from the other side of Chistye Prudy. For Galina Borisovna’s anniversary, the theater, which she directed until her last day, outwardly “pulled up”: many plans, many premieres. From the scene of the event – MK correspondent.

The October opening of the season at Sovremennik this time was “multi-layered”.

It all started with the presentation of a photo exhibition called “Contemporary. Planet Volchek.” This definition – a planet – by the way, was later disputed by the friends of the outstanding actress: they said that she was at least a planetary system, if not a galaxy. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

There will be two photo projects by the end of the year. The current one is in the lobby, and the future one is nearby, on Chistoprudny Boulevard. From the point of view of tangibility and intimacy, the first is more valuable, but in the second case, unique photographic materials will be seen by thousands of people at one of the main places for walking. Director Yuri Kravets mentioned photo exhibitions at the troupe’s actual gatherings (especially crowded this time), also promising the imminent opening of a theater museum and the implementation of Volchek’s idea of ​​a festival of student performances from educational institutions in Moscow (she even came up with the name “Neformat”) with presentation of prizes in honor of the founders of Sovremennik.

But the main task was to announce the upcoming premieres. Moreover, they were talking not only about the upcoming season, but also about productions that will begin rehearsals very soon and will be presented to the public next year.

So, in just a few days, Sovremennik will prove its commitment to modern prose. “The play “Chagin” based on the novel of the same name by Evgeny Vodolazkin. Directed by Sergei Tonyshev,” Kravets announced. Those sitting in the hall reacted violently.

In mid-November, Alexander Nazarov will stage “The Miracle of St. Anthony” based on the play by Maurice Maeterlinck. We will see Garik Sukachev’s performance based on Alexandra Nikolaenko’s novel “SASHASHISHIN” on the eve of winter. And next spring it will be the turn of the play “People Live Here” based on the novel by Athol Fugard, and in the summer a version of “Anna Karenina” from Pyotr Shereshevsky will be released.

“Who will be Anna?” – a cry is heard from the place. Few people had time to turn their heads to understand who, in fact, proposed his candidacy for the role of the main character in this way to everyone’s approving laughter.

Finally, the last of the “guaranteed” premieres were “The Catcher in the Rye” and “Simon” based on the novel by N. Abgaryan, which was “sketched” in plans for the summer. Two more new products will become bridges between the seasons 2023–2024 and 2024–2025: “Duck Hunt” and “Ivanov” according to Chekhov.

And the most “explosive” and noisy moment was the announcement to the cast of the results of the Moskovsky Komsomolets theater award. Four actors and actresses from Sovremennik were awarded the award: Igor Kostolevsky, Marina Khazova, Rustem Yuskaev and Vladislav Prokhorov.

However, if the main stage was full of enthusiasm and fun, then in the other location the mood was more restrained, but not to say mournful. There, Galina Volchek was remembered by like-minded people and friends: Lyudmila Krylova, Alena Babenko, Vladislav Vetrov, Leonid Yarmolnik, Igor Zolotovitsky. And every story, even the tiniest episode, deserves its own separate note. However, everything that has been said can be summed up in one phrase: Galina Borisovna was very loved. Colleagues. Spectators. Whole country.

Published in the newspaper “Moskovsky Komsomolets” No. 29126 dated October 2, 2023

Newspaper headline:
They remembered Volchek and promised premieres