Twenty years ago Russia’s national thematic display, “Our Chekhov,” was shown at the PQ87. The display was awarded a Gold Medal. When the organisers of PQ07 suggested that the participant countries select the themes of their displays themselves, we decided to return to Chekhov. Of course, in the period from 2003 to 2007 our designers were coming up with interesting scenographic solutions of works of both classical and contemporary playwrights, but Chekhov’s plays still occupy aspecial place on the Russian stage, compatible with that of Shakespeare in Britain. Present-day productions of Chekhov’s plays are dramatically different from those staged two decades ago, as time itself as well as the situation that theatres exist in have been profoundly altered. Thirteen Russian stage designers present their models of stage productions. They include: S. Barkhin, S. Benediktov, D. Borovsky,
S. Zograbian, M. Kitaev, A. Kondratiev, Z. Margolin, A. Orlov, M. Platonov, O. Reznichenko, O. Sheintzis. The display design was projected by Dmitry Krymov, as a lecturer at the Set Design Department of the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts, assisted by 4th year students. At the stage of consideration of the exposition, Dmitry Krymov wrote: “It’s always cold or rainy in Russia, or else it snows. Or there’s a leaking ceiling so something is constantly dripping from it. Or it falls on you. Some fluff, for example. More often it is chunks of plaster. You feel like putting on something water-tight, say, a pair of galoshes, and pick up an umbrella. I remember the days when the Mona Lisa was brought to Moscow: people were queuing to see it for up to 8 hours. They were standing in the rain, and when I saw her, I felt she was so umber or bog-coloured that she appeared like any other Russian woman. Poor thing, she was cold. The fate of all works of art in Russia that can be stupendous at times is they are created under inhuman conditions, and are then drowned or burned, or they crack or fall on the ground to be dragged to the mud. And are recreated again. As a matter of fact it is not Italy, where one can see stones and the sun. It’s dark clouds, pieces of plaster and dampness. It gives you shivers, but in some especially sad but still tender way. In a word, it’s Chekhov”. The display Our Chekhov: Twenty Years Later is dedicated to the memory of David Borovsky. An outstanding artist who had planned to attend this Prague Quadrennial together with his friends in the scenography community. He passed away April 6, 2006 in Bogota, on the eve of the opening of his personal exhibit.
- Alexander Orlov
Specialization: architect
Exhibiting works
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: Dama s Sobachkoi (Lady with a Lapdog),
Bolshoi Dramaticheskiy Teatr imeni Tovstonogova (BDT)
(Tovstonogov Bolshoy Drama Theatre (BDT)),
2007, Director: Anatoly Praudin, ,
- MARIA TREGUBOVA
Specialization: set designer
Exhibiting works
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: Torgi (Auction (after Chekhov’s works)),
Shkola dramaticheskogo iskusstva Anatoliya Vasilieva
(Anatoly Vasiliev School of Dramatic Art),
2006 VERA MARTYNOVA - Scenography co-author
- VERA MARTYNOVA
Specialization: set designer
Exhibiting works
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: Torgi (Auction (after Chekhov’s works)),
Shkola dramaticheskogo iskusstva Anatoliya Vasilieva
(Anatoly Vasiliev School of Dramatic Art),
2006 MARIA TREGUBOVA - Scenography co-author
- Stanislav Benediktov
Specialization: set designer
Additional information: Born in 1944. Scenic designer. He goes to the 4th class of the Surikov Institute of Plastic and Graphic Arts.
Exhibiting works
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: Vishnyovi Sad (The Cherry Orchard),
Rossyiski Akademicheski Molоdyozhni Teatr (RAMT)
(Russian Academic Youth Theatre (RAMT)),
2004, Director: Aleksei Borodin, ,
- Stěpan Zograbjan (Stepan Zograbian)
* 27.08.1949, Rostov-on-Don
Specialization: set designer
Education: Rostov-on-Don Architectural Institute, 1972
Collaboration with theatres: Rostov-on-Don Young Spectator’s Theatre, Vologda Young Spectator’s Theatre, Moscow Pushkin Drama Theatre
Continuing collaboration with directors: B. Granatov, K. Serebrennikov, Yu. Yeryomin, G. Trostianetsky, M. Lavrovsky
Additional information: The winner of the Russian national theatre award, the Golden Mask
Exhibiting works
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Yuri Yeryomin: Russkie Komedii (Russian Comedies (after Chekhov’s vaudevilles)),
Teatr Drami imeni Pushkina
(Pushkin Drama Theatre),
2006, Director: Yuri Yeryomin, , Olga Reznichenko - Costume design
- Sergej Barchin (Sergei Barkhin)
* 31.03.1938, Moscow
Specialization: set designer
Education: Moscow Architectural Institute, 1962
Collaboration with theatres: In Moscow: Bolshoi Theatre, Chekhov MXT Theatre, Stanislavsky Musical Theatre, Yuong Spectator's Theatre etc.
Teaching activities: Founder of the Stage Design Department of the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (RATI-GITIS) - 1993., Professor
Continuing collaboration with directors: O. Efremov, K. Ginkas, O. Tabakov, G. Yanovskaya, V. Vasiliev
Additional information: Head of Design of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Head of Design Department in the Russian Theatre Academy (former GITIS), Moscow. He participated in PQ 1971, 1975, 1979 and 1987 (Gold Medal to the Exhibition of the USSR). Winner of the OISTAT Architectural Competition.
Exhibiting works
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: Dama s Sobachkoi (Lady with a Lapdog),
Moskovski Teatr Yunogo Zritelia
(Moscow Young Spectator's Theatre),
2003, Director: Kama Ginkas, ,
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: Skripka Rotshilda (Rothshild's Fiddle),
Moskovski Teatr Yunogo Zritelia
(Moscow Young Spectators' Theatre),
2004, Director: Kama Ginkas, ,
- David Borovskij (David Borovsky)
* 02.07.1934, Odessa, Ukraine
Education: At the age of 14 Borovsky began working as a decorator in professional theatres in Kiev
Collaboration with theatres: Kiev: Lesya Ukrainka Theatre, Ivan Franko Theatre; Moscow: Stanislavsky Drama Theatre, Taganka Theatre, Bolshoi Theatre
Continuing collaboration with directors: L. Varpakhovsky, B. Lvov-Anokhin, Y. Lyubimov, L. Dodin, I. Horvai, О. Efremov
Additional information: Born in 1934 in Kijev. Since 1984 he has been a chief stage designer at the Sovremennik Theatre in Moscow. He exhibited in the PQ in 1967, 1971, 1975 (in the exposition awarded by the Golden Triga — the main prize) and in 1979. In 1972 at the Triennial of Stage and Costume Design in Novi Sad he received a Gold Medal for stage design.
Began to work at professional theatre at the age of fifteen, his first sets being designed for a production at the Lesya Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre in 1956. Borovsky's talent was especially fully realized in collaboration with director Yuri Lyubimov at the Taganka Theatre, at which he has been designer-in-chief for over t h i r ty years. He also worked with such directors as Anatoli Efros, Oleg Yefremov, Valery Fokin, Galina Voychek, Leonid Heifitz, Roman Viktyuk and Andrei Smirnov. He has worked with major drama and opera companies in Russia, Europe and America. His designs are held in the collection of the Bakhrushin Central Theatre Museum. He received the Gold Medal at the PQ'71. at the PQ'75 exhibited in the Soviet exhibition which was awarded the Golden Triga.
Exhibiting works
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: Diadia Vanya (Uncle Vanya),
Mali dramaticheski teatr - Teatr Evropi
(Maly Drama Theatre - Theatre of Europe),
2005, Director: Lev Dodin, ,
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: Vishnyovi Sad (The Cherry Orchard),
MkHAT imeni Chekhova
(Chekhov MXT Theatre),
2003, Director: Adolf Shapiro, ,
- Oleg Sheintzis
* 02.01.1949, Odessa, Ukraine
Education: Chekhov MXT Theatre School, 1977
Collaboration with theatres: In Moscow: Vakhtangov Theatre, Mayakovsky Theatre, Satire theatre, Chekhov MXT, Bolshoi, Lenkom; theatres in London
Teaching activities: Professor, Chekhov MXT Theatre School, Pohřební modlitba, Katův nářek - Divadlo Lenkom, Láska ke třem pomerančům - Velké
Continuing collaboration with directors: A. Mironov, R. Viktyuk, G. Cherniakhovsky, S. Artzibashev, P. Ustino
Additional information: On July 16, 2006 Oleg Sheintzis passed away in Odessa.
Exhibiting works
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: Diadia Vanya (Uncle Vanya),
MKHAT imeni Chekhova i Teatr Olega Tabakova
(Chekhov MXT Theatre & Tabakov Theatre),
2004, Director: Mindaugas Karbauskis, , Alexi Kondraťjev - Scenography co-author
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: Chaika (The Seagull),
Teatr Lenkom
(Lenkom Theatre),
1994, Director: Mark Zakharov, ,
- Alexi Kondraťjev (Aleksei Kondratiev)
* 14.12.1971, Moscow
Specialization: teacher, set designer
Education: Chekhov MXT Theatre School, 1994
Collaboration with theatres: Volgograd TUZ Theatre, Irkutsk Okhlopkov Drama Theatre, Mossovet Theatre, Lenkom Theatre, School of Modern Play Theatre
Continuing collaboration with directors: G. Cherniakhovsky, S. Valkov, M. Zakharov, V. Shamirov, L. Aronov, A. Ofengeim, M. Karbauskis
Exhibiting works
-
: Diadia Vanya (Uncle Vanya),
MKHAT imeni Chekhova i Teatr Olega Tabakova
(Chekhov MXT Theatre & Tabakov Theatre),
2004, Director: Mindaugas Karbauskis, , Oleg Sheintzis - Scenography co-author
- Mart Kitaev
* 30.03.1925, Zilair, Bashkortostan
Education: Latvian Academy of Arts, 1951
Collaboration with theatres: Riga Young Spectator's Theatre, Alexandrinsky Theatre, Briantsev Young Spectator's Theatre, Ermolova Theatre, Chekhov MX
Continuing collaboration with directors: Z. Korogodsky, A. Goncharov, I. Vladimirov, A. Shapiro, G. Volchek, A. Praudin, S. Spivak
Additional information: The winner of two Russian national awards: The Golden Sofit and the Golden Pushkin Medal.
Exhibiting works
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: Tri Sestri (Three Sisters),
Molodyozhny Teatr na Fontanke
(Youth Theatre on Fontanka),
2006, Director: Semyon Spivak, , Mikhail Platonov - Scenography co-author
- Mikhail Platonov
* 21.12.1950, Leningrad
Education: Leningrad Institute of Theatre, Music and Cinematography (LGITMIK), 1978
Collaboration with theatres: Omsk Chamber Theatre; In St.Petersburg: Aleksandrinsky Theatre, Praudin Experimental Stage Theatre, Youth Theatre on Fon
Teaching activities: Associate professor, St.Petersburg Theatre Academy (SPGATI)
Continuing collaboration with directors: S.Spivak, A.Praudin, V.Golub
Exhibiting works
-
: Tri Sestri (Three Sisters),
Molodyozhniy Teatr na Fontanke
(Youth Theatre on Fontanka),
2006, Director: Semyon Spivak, , Mart Kitaev - Scenography co-author
- Olga Reznichenko
* 03.08.1951, Rostov-on-Don
Education: Lvov Institute of Decorative and Applied Arts, 1980
Collaboration with theatres: Rostov-on-Don Young Spectator’s Theatre, Vologda Young Spectator’s Theatre, Chekhov MXT Theatre, Mariinsky Theatre
Continuing collaboration with directors: B. Granatov, K. Berebrennikov, G. Trostianetsky
Additional information: The winner of the Russian national theatre award Golden Mask
Exhibiting works
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Yuri Yeryomin: Russkie Komedii (Russian Comedies (after Chekhov’s vaudevilles)),
Teatr Drami imeni Pushkina
(Pushkin Drama Theatre),
2006, Director: Yuri Yeryomin, ,
- Zinovij Margolin (Zinovy Margolin)
* 15.02.1960, Minsk
Education: Byelorussian Academy of Arts, 1982
Collaboration with theatres: Tovstonogov BDT Theatre, Byelorussian Opera and Ballet Theatre, Mariinsky Theatre, St.Petersburg Opera Theatre
Continuing collaboration with directors: B. Eifman, Yu. Aleksandrov, D. Cherniakov, N. Pinigin
Additional information: Winner of two Russian national awards: The Golden Mask and the Golden Sofit.
Information from catalogue 1999:
He graduated from Belarussian Academy of Art. Currently operates as chief stage designer of St.Petersburg Chamber Opera Theatre. In 1995, he participated in the PQ and was awarded the Silver Medal for Stage design.
Exhibiting works
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: Chaika (The Seagull),
Sankt Peterburgski Teatr Baleta Borisa Eifmana
(St.Petersburg Eifman Ballet),
2007 Sergei Rakhmaninov - Music, Aleksandr Skriabin - Music, Boris Eifman - Choreography