Duration – 3 h. with one intermission. Age restriction 16+
The final part of Ostrovsky’s trilogy about Misha Balzaminov’s search for a rich bride was reinterpreted by the show’s creators.
The director explores the phenomenon of motherly love, a love that is sacrificial, all-consuming, sometimes creative and sometimes destructive...
There is an axiom that boys should be raised by men. Nevertheless, that rarely happens in real life. As a rule, from birth to adulthood future men are left to women. They are groomed, cherished, pampered and protected from any problems. They are admired, adored and fawned over... The results of such an upbringing are lamentable — boys grow up infantile and feminine, unprepared to make decisions or take responsibility for their actions.
That’s what happened to Mishenka Balzaminov. A spoiled and capricious mama’s boy, Mishenka is absolutely not adapted to life. Warded by women from infancy, he lives in a world of dreams and illusions. However, dreams are not the worst thing that exists in this world. Thus, the puerile Mishenka unexpectedly becomes not just a charming figure, but a tragic one, a “little person” swept to the wayside of life. And the director leaves the end of the show open to interpretation...
Alexander Ostrovsky
Comedy in two acts
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director — Grigory Kozlov
Set and Costume Design — Vasiliy Semyonov, Natalya Grosheva
Lighting Designer — Alexandr Ryazantsev
Music Direction — Andrei Yurev
CAST
Balzaminova, a widow — Alena Artemova
Balzaminov, her son — Maksim Studenovsky
Krasavina, a matchmaker — Kseniya Morozova
Matrena, a cook — Anna Arefeva
Chebakov, a retired military officer — Nikolay Kuglyant
Raisa, a merchant’s daughter — Maria Valeshnaya
Anfisa, a merchant’s daughter — Maria Polikarpova
Khimka, a maid — Arina Lykova
Belotelova, a widow — Polina Vorobyova
Supporting roles — Arseniy Semyonov and Evgeny Shumeyko
The premiere took place on December 25, 2010