The Russians Are Coming!
Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin
In October 2008, Theatre IV, the Modlin Center for the Arts and the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Richmond will be presenting the critically acclaimed and world renowned Saratov Academic Youth Theatre in its American debut. The company, the world’s oldest theatre committed to plays for young audiences, will be presenting three performances of two of the most celebrated productions from its permanent repertoire. On Friday, October 17 and Sunday, October 19 the company will perform its own adaptation of the famed Russian folktale, The Humpbacked Horse.
This classic Russian tale (originally written by Pyotr Pavlovich Yershov) has been translated into
numerous languages and is the source of the famed Bolshoi Ballet of the same title. Adapted by Elizabeth Mahoney Winthrop, the English translation was an award- winning children’s book beautifully illustrated by the noted Russian artist Alexander Koshkin. The Humpbacked Horse tells of the adventures of Ivan, a young peasant who, through kindness and the help of his faithful and magical “humpbacked horse,” accomplishes the impossible by capturing numerous magical beasts, winning the love of the beautiful Tsarina and becoming the Tsar of all Russia. The story has entertained youth of all ages.
In addition to The Humpbacked Horse, the company will perform its adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s famous comic novella, Uncle’s Dream at the Jepson Theatre in the Modlin Center for the Arts on the campus of the University of Richmond on Saturday, October 18. In this play, Dostoyevsky satirizes the attitudes and manners of provincial ne’er-do-wells while entertaining audiences with a farcical plot and zany characters. Dostoyevsky wrote few comedies, but this story and the company’s lively adaptation of it proves that he had a masterful command of the genre. This tale of a social -climbing mother who tries to arrange a marriage for her beautiful daughter to a very rich old man is filled with rich satire and broad farcical humor. The mother’s plans are, of course, thwarted by her daughter’s true love who, in a wonderful plot twist, convinces his uncle that the marriage proposal was all a bad dream.
The Saratov Youth Theatre’s unique style combining elements of commedia dell’arte, music and dance is well served by these two wonderful tales. Both of these entertaining plays will be performed in Russian with English subtititles, with any possible language barriers overcome by the visually exciting production values and the virtuosity of the performances.
In October 2008, Theatre IV, the Modlin Center for the Arts and the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Richmond will be presenting the critically acclaimed and world renowned Saratov Academic Youth Theatre in its American debut. The company, the world’s oldest theatre committed to plays for young audiences, will be presenting three performances of two of the most celebrated productions from its permanent repertoire. On Friday, October 17 and Sunday, October 19 the company will perform its own adaptation of the famed Russian folktale, The Humpbacked Horse.This classic Russian tale (originally written by Pyotr Pavlovich Yershov) has been translated into
numerous languages and is the source of the famed Bolshoi Ballet of the same title. Adapted by Elizabeth Mahoney Winthrop, the English translation was an award- winning children’s book beautifully illustrated by the noted Russian artist Alexander Koshkin. The Humpbacked Horse tells of the adventures of Ivan, a young peasant who, through kindness and the help of his faithful and magical “humpbacked horse,” accomplishes the impossible by capturing numerous magical beasts, winning the love of the beautiful Tsarina and becoming the Tsar of all Russia. The story has entertained youth of all ages.
In addition to The Humpbacked Horse, the company will perform its adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s famous comic novella, Uncle’s Dream at the Jepson Theatre in the Modlin Center for the Arts on the campus of the University of Richmond on Saturday, October 18. In this play, Dostoyevsky satirizes the attitudes and manners of provincial ne’er-do-wells while entertaining audiences with a farcical plot and zany characters. Dostoyevsky wrote few comedies, but this story and the company’s lively adaptation of it proves that he had a masterful command of the genre. This tale of a social -climbing mother who tries to arrange a marriage for her beautiful daughter to a very rich old man is filled with rich satire and broad farcical humor. The mother’s plans are, of course, thwarted by her daughter’s true love who, in a wonderful plot twist, convinces his uncle that the marriage proposal was all a bad dream.The Saratov Youth Theatre’s unique style combining elements of commedia dell’arte, music and dance is well served by these two wonderful tales. Both of these entertaining plays will be performed in Russian with English subtititles, with any possible language barriers overcome by the visually exciting production values and the virtuosity of the performances.
posted by Billy Blogopher at
8:50 PM
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