"Mixed feelings": a performance by the Lensoviet. Reviews

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

In 2009, a performance based on Richard Baer's play "Mixed Feelings" was staged on the stage of the Lensoviet Theater in St. Petersburg. The audience liked the performance and now it is included in the theatrical repertoire of the Lensoviet Theater every season. The viewer's continued attention to the production is largely due to the participation of first-rate stars in the performance: Mikhail Boyarsky and Larisa Luppian.

Legendary Lensovet Theatre: a brief history

The famous St. Petersburg theater was born in 1933 under the name "New Theatre". And although in 1953 the temple of art became the Lensoviet Theatre, the first name had a mystical influence on his entire creative life. The Lensoviet Theater is known in St. Petersburg not only for its usual classical repertoire, but also for its avant-garde plays and productions, sometimes ambiguous and defiant. This theater is characterized by experiment and innovation. Theatergoers know that if you want something new and unusual, you should go to the Lensoviet Theatre.

There are enough unusual facts in the history of the theatre. For example, in 1940 the Lensoviet Theaterleft, as it turned out, on his longest tour of Siberia. The troupe managed to return to Leningrad only in 1945, after the war.

The new house of the theater on Vladimirsky Prospekt is also surrounded by legends and myths. This once residential nineteenth-century merchant's mansion has been turned into a gaming club. The Vladimir merchant's play house was known throughout the northern capital. Here, in addition to a large gaming hall, there was a popular restaurant. There are many legends about failed merchants who took their own lives right under the club's restaurant palm tree.

The history of the house has mystically influenced the repertoire of the theatre. It has staged performances from the central theme of the game many times: "The Taming of the Shrew", "People and Passions", "Players".

Lucky theater and the main directors. At different times, the famous Nikolay Akimov, Igor Vladimirov, Vladislav Pazi directed the theater. Many great Russian actors have also played and are playing within the walls of the theater. Guests of St. Petersburg are always advised to start their acquaintance with the theatrical St. Petersburg from the Lensoviet Theater.

Richard Baer - screenwriter and playwright

Richard Baer is known in his native America as a successful screenwriter of popular series. As a playwright Baer's fame was brought by the play Mixed Feelings. The theater directors liked the work so much that the play "Mixed Feelings" is still included in the repertoires of theaters in Russia, Canada, Belgium, Holland, and, of course, America. In Russia, the performance was first staged on the stage of the Variety Theater in2003.

The play "Mixed Feelings" starring Khazanov and Churikova was well received by the audience. Baer himself was excited about the production in Russia, as it turned out that his ancestors came from Belarus, and Richard did not perceive Russia as a foreign country. Unfortunately, by the time of the production of the play "Mixed Feelings" in the Leningrad City Council, Richard Baer did not live to see it. He passed away in 2008.

The plot of the play "Mixed Feelings"

The plot of the play is based on the meeting of two old friends: a man and a woman. Everyone has a life behind them. Once Herman Lewis and Christina Milman were family friends. This happy friendship lasted for thirty years. It so happened that almost simultaneously Herman became a widower, and Christina buried her beloved husband. Having met after the losses, German and Christina remember the past, quarrel, make peace, even sing and dance.

The conflict lies in the fact that Herman proposes to Christina, believing that they still have the right to happiness. Christina takes a different view, she believes that her life has ended with the death of her husband, and does not want to think about a brighter future. A feature of the performance "Mixed Feelings" is that for more than two hours only two heroes are present on the stage, not counting several episodic appearances of minor actors. The viewer is invited to talk about love, the transience of life, fidelity, sadness and happiness.

Boyarsky and Luppian are stellarduet

Almost all reviews of the play "Mixed Feelings" in the Lensoviet speak of the decisive importance of famous names on the theater poster. Mikhail Boyarsky and Larisa Luppian are stars of the first magnitude and favorite actors not only of their native St. Petersburg, but of the whole country. Boyarsky and Luppian play together not for the first time. It is noticeable how harmonious and harmonious this creative duet is. Herman, played by Mikhail Sergeevich, is very charming, at times petty and eccentric, sometimes sublime and sensitive. Kristina Larisa Luppian is a lady with principles, witty, mocking and vulnerable.

Famous couples on stage have something to say. Mikhail Boyarsky and Larisa Luppian lived a long, eventful, very ambiguous, but happy family life. They have two adult talented and famous children. And the theater-goers of St. Petersburg consider Mikhail Boyarsky a symbol of their native city.

Dignity of the play

In the reviews of the play "Mixed Feelings", the audience especially notes the bright play of the actors. Given that the play does not indulge in dynamic action, change of characters and scenery, it is difficult to keep the viewer's attention for the entire duration of the performance. The star duet succeeds. The audience is included in what is happening on stage, empathizes, sad and laughs.

The play "Mixed Feelings" is staged lightly, gracefully, with a sense of humor. Many viewers are accustomed to seeing Mikhail Boyarsky on the movie screen. Therefore, many were interested in Boyarsky -theater actor. Judging by the reviews, the master did not disappoint the public. On stage, Mikhail Sergeevich is also interesting and talented. Larisa Luppian is also admired. The performance "Mixed Feelings" in the theater runs for more than two hours, but it is watched in one breath.

Remarks from viewers

From the negative comments of the audience, you can pay attention to only two points.

First, not everyone liked the specific American humor. Many viewers felt that there were a lot of vulgar and flat jokes in the play. Although they note that the actors were able to find the right pitch and smoothed out the straightforward humor.

Second, this, oddly enough, is the mega-famousness of the actors, especially Mikhail Boyarsky. Spectators note that Mikhail Sergeevich has long become a legend and an independent bright unit. And this makes it difficult to perceive the image of the protagonist Herman Lewis at the beginning of the performance, because the viewer sees only Mikhail Boyarsky. But then the true talent of the master wins, and everything falls into place for the viewer.

A few words

The play "Mixed Feelings" is a light lyrical play, which after watching will definitely leave a pleasant impression and a feeling that life always goes on, no matter what. A production with your favorite actors is worth adding to your theatrical piggy bank.