Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre

Lesya Ukrainka

A Forest Song

Fantastic tale of love in two acts

Opening - 29.09.2012. (Big Auditorium)

Duration - 2 h 45 min

Creative team:

Set Designer
Yelena Oleynik

Costumes Designer
Yelena Oleynik

Translator
Mikhail Isakovsky

Directed by
Igor Konyayev, Yelena Chernaya

Two years ago M.Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre and the Latvian Academy of Culture united their efforts and initated a study course for young actors. For the first time in 129 years, on the eve of the 130th anniversary, the theater has decided to open the 130th season with the premiere, which is the students' work.

We hope the play "A Forest Song" by the Ukrainian classic Lesya Ukrainka will not only keep up some keen interest in the immediate future and the prospects of the Russian theater, but also will fascinate the audiences with its mythological fundamental principle, which in ancient times, when people tried to make friends with nature and worshiped the sun, was common to all Slavs, Balts, Ugrians... And, although the genre of the play is defined as "a fantastic tale of love", it will be more interesting to adults, because Lesya Ukrainka created a story on romantic, self-sacrificing love, capable of performing miracles. "Forest Song" is a masterpiece of world classics, appealing to the harmony of body and soul, people and nature.

The production „A Forest Song” is a staging of emotionally deep dramatic material, using the contemporary theater language. Young generation of actors is eager to work, and as a result, the strong desire of young people to reach the heights of professional mastery can be felt. Their first appearance in the Riga Russian theatre is a major success! These young actors are already able to play in repertory productions. How compelling Igor Nazarenko plays an elderly uncle Lev, but Anastasia Dzordzevica - Lucas' mother! Also Jana Lisova appeals with her play. You can not ignore the beautiful set design created by Yelena Oleynik, as well as the work of the directors.

Donich O. Understand Yourself // Chas

Everything is unusual in this intense and vivid production - costumes, plastics and aesthetics. Costumes are very artful. Stage design is rich and very attractive. Audience is persistently surrounded by the energy that is so strong that is seems almost physically perceptible.

Lebedeva N. Love, Hope and Song // Vesti Segodnya

The body and voice plasticity of young actors, which are peforming as trees of forest, from the silent squeaks to loud screams shake the viewer's imagination and leds to thinking that, probably, these kind of sounds we would hear in early spring if we could understand the language of nature.

Lebedeva N. „Bringing Up Universal Actors...” //Telegraf