Gold without a batch: Viktor Sukhorukov returned to the Vakhtangov Theater

On June 2, the Evgeny Vakhtangov Theater presented the premiere of the play "Shine and Ashes" directed by Anatoly Shulev. People's Artist of Russia Viktor Sukhorukov returned to the stage of the theater in a large—scale production, playing the main role of Pavel Kuteynikov, the head of the jewelry dynasty, who is trying to save his family at the turning point between two revolutions. Izvestia was among the first viewers.

Gold and the Flame of Change

The idea of the play was hatched for a long time and carefully. Anatoly Shulyev, the theater's chief director, admits that a random phrase he overheard in a bookstore served as the starting point for creating a large-scale canvas. The girl advised the young man to read a novel about Cartier.

— I was curious, I also bought and read this book, and after that I was fascinated by the jewelry industry itself, — Anatoly Shulyev recalls. — I was particularly impressed by the story of how Louis Cartier comes to Russia and sees at the Christmas market what the highest level of local craftsmen are, and realizes that it will be incredibly difficult to compete with them.

The director immersed himself in the topic and came across the story of Pavel Ovchinnikov, a former serf who became a supplier to the imperial court and lost everything in 1917. He became the prototype of the main character of the play. Shulyev worked on the play with playwright Sergei Plotov.

The events unfold against the backdrop of a turning point between two revolutions (1905 and 1917). The plot focuses on the life and family drama of Pavel Kuteynikov, a St. Petersburg manufacturer and goldsmith. For the hero, jewelry is an eternal beauty that can survive any shocks. However, his adult sons, who are passionate about the ideas of the new age, question their father's cause. A deep philosophical conflict is unfolding on the stage: which will be stronger — the eternal shine of gold or the merciless flame of change?

The creators of the play show how the historical split went through the fate of the Kuteynikov family, turning close people into opponents. After all, it was an era of heightened, extreme contradictions. On the one hand, there is the deepest tragedy, but on the other, there is a premonition of dawn, a large—scale renewal. In the theater, they like such borderline states: when everything is brought to an edge, to a tragedy, but there is still light ahead.

The Return of the Master

It took many months to find the actors, but the ensemble turned out to be incredible. The production involves a whole galaxy of bright young artists. It was on their shoulders that the task fell to show how the wheel of revolution ruthlessly breaks destinies, ideals and youthful dreams. There are no passing roles in the production — everything is important. Young people do not get lost next to the masters. The play stars Nikolai Romanovsky, Egor Razlivanov, Alexander Galochkin, Albina Abramova, Karolina Koitsan, and Marfa Pashkova. Vasily Simonov and Vladimir Guskov are also the second generation of great artists, the successors of theatrical dynasties.

The main diamond of the collection is Viktor Sukhorukov, who celebrated his return to the Vakhtangov stage with this performance.

— Only a fool could refuse such a role. Great masters are playing next to me: Irina Kupchenko and Vladimir Shlykov. But pay attention to our young people — they are golden! Everyone deserves their own love and attention," said the artist.

Sukhorukov played the role of an incredibly touching, deep and obsessed with his craft. It seemed that the people's artist traveled through the desert for a long time and finally clung to a spring with life-giving moisture. He literally basks in the sensations that his Pavel Anisimovich Kuteynikov gives him.

— For me, "Shine and Ashes" is a story about the sacrifice of our country and our time, — says Viktor Sukhorukov. — I feel a great responsibility and gratitude for everything that has been left behind. Yes, it's gratitude and shame for what we do to each other from century to century. But the main advantage of this performance is that we are tenacious. There was a good family, it was destroyed by the wheel of history, but we will continue to live and create for the benefit of people and God. I am happy to return to this illustrious stage!

The jeweler's wife

Viktor Sukhorukov's partner in the play was the legendary actress, People's Artist of Russia Irina Kupchenko. She brilliantly played the role of the jeweler's wife, Anna Sergeevna. The creative tandem of the two masters gave the performance a powerful emotional boost.

— The fate of these people is amazing, — says Irina Kupchenko. — Having lost all support, they did not lose faith or love for their homeland. This story is immortal, and it frighteningly resembles today. Our performance is not a scientific chronicle, but a living history of the country and people who are forced to continue their journey against all odds.

Irina Kupchenko plays the mother of the family. It would seem that she could be a shadow of her talented, active husband. But no, she is an associate of the head of the Kuteynikov family. She can resolve the conflict, she can convince her husband to implement the rationalization proposal of the eldest son, launch the sketches of the middle one, keep the younger one from rash actions.

Production designer Maxim Obrezkov created bright decorations for the performance. The two walls in the center of the stage resemble giant books facing each other, sparkling with gold bindings. The spines of these volumes depict the story of a recognized master's rise to the top, from a self—redeemed serf to a supplier to the imperial court. Each time, the audience discovers a new story from the life of the jeweler's family. And in the finale, the book-walls part, and Pavel Kuteynikov, who has lost everything, goes to meet the conflagration of the October Revolution. The spectacular scene is created by the lighting solution of the artist Alexander Matveev.

The play "Shine and Ashes" turned out to be very deep and family-friendly. It contains difficult but important lessons about how to save yourself, about female humility, which is perhaps the most important thing in life. It promises to be one of the main events of the theatrical season. The next screenings of the premiere production are on June 3 and 16.