She was a real icon of Soviet cinema and a brilliant star in the theater scene. In addition to these qualities, the great actress Olga Pyzhova was also an excellent teacher, released a galaxy of talented lyceum artists and directors. In addition, the audience appreciated her for her ability to stage performances and plays. Olga Pyzhova, like no other, was in demand in the profession, but, unfortunately, was forced to leave the theater stage in advance. What was her creative path? Let's consider this question in more detail.
Years of childhood and youth
Olga Pyzhova, a biography whose personal life will be of interest primarily to admirers of her talent, was born on October 29, 1894 in Moscow. She studied at the Institute of Noble Maidens.
After some time, the future actress graduated from accounting courses, so she joined the seed office. She had a chance to be a reader in a wealthy family. After the death of her father, she and her mother moved to the city on the Neva, closer to relatives. Young Olga Pyzhova in the Northern capital is arranged to work first in a banking institution, and then she is accepted as an employee in the Senate archive. In her youth, she woke up interest in the great art. Once, even with the patronage of her aunt E. Sultanova, she took part in the charity performance “White Lily” (directed by N.V. Petrov). Soon he came to the city on the Neva with the Moscow Art Theater tour, whose performances made an indelible impression on the girl: she was conquered by the theater once and for all. Olga acted decisively: she wanted to talk with Nemirovich-Danchenko himself, and she succeeded. The maestro liked the girl’s young naivety, and he invited her to take an exam. Pyzhova was given only a month and a half to prepare.
Studying at the Moscow Art Theater
It is noteworthy that out of two hundred applicants for acting, almost everyone failed, with the exception of two applicants.
One of them was Olga Pyzhova. She was accepted into the first studio of the Moscow Art Theater. The girl was a diligent student, so at the end of the course she was enrolled in the troupe of the local theater.
The beginning of a career in the Moscow Art Theater
The beginner actress Olga Pyzhova began to demonstrate the verge of her talent immediately. The directors gladly tried her for the role, but for some reason there were not many of them. So, the young hypocrite appeared before the audience in the images of a young lady at the ball at Famusov (“Woe from Wit”), the governess in the play “Where it is thin, it breaks”, Fairies in the production of “The Blue Bird”. Subsequently, Olga Pyzhova skillfully combined work in different studios of the Moscow Art Theater. In the first she was remembered for the roles of Viola in "Twelfth Night," the courtesan Lizzi in the "Flood". The vaudeville “Match” turned out to be a successful work, where the actress acted on the same stage with eminent Mikhail Chekhov and Sofia Giatsintova. In the second studio Pyzhova filigree reincarnated in the image of a hummingbird (the play "The History of Lieutenant Yergunov). Even Konstantin Stanislavsky himself, amazed by the amazing talent and unusualness of the actress’s artistic nature, without hesitation, approved her for the role of Mirandolina (“Mistress of the hotel”). This performance was featured in the repertoire of foreign tours.
In America, actress Olga Pyzhova, whose biography contains many remarkable and interesting facts, masterfully reincarnated as Barbara (The Cherry Orchard).
MKHAT-2
After overseas tours Pyzhova decides to constantly work in the first studio of the Moscow Art Theater, which after some time was renamed the Moscow Art Theater-2. Olga was immediately remembered by the viewer for the role of the beautiful Dina Kraevich in "Evgraf - an adventurer" (1926). However, after some time, a creative conflict broke out in the Melpomene church , and Pyzhova, along with part of the acting troupe, was forced to leave the theater.
Theater of revolution
It was here that Olga came to work after the Moscow Art Theater-2. On the stage of the Theater of the Revolution, the lyceum will play a number of brilliant roles, which include: Lena in "Personal Life", Glafira in "Calvary", Ksenia in "A Man with a Briefcase", Kiksi in "Street of Joy." Unfortunately, she soon had to leave the big stage, as the actress's vision deteriorated sharply, and blindness began to progress.
Perhaps that is why she did not fully reveal her acting potential on the set. Nevertheless, she still managed to play several notable roles in the cinema: Ogudalova ("Bride", 1937), grandmother Olya ("Alyosha Ptitsyn develops character", 1953).
Director's work
However, despite all the hardships and hardships, Pyzhova Olga (actress) was not going to remain outside the creative profession. In the 20s, she began directing. And the peak of her career in this capacity was already in the 30s. Together with her husband, she staged performances at the 3rd Moscow Theater for Children. The audience simply adored her work: “Skapen's Tricks” by Moliere (1937), “Tale” (1939), “Twenty Years Later” (1940).
During the Patriotic War, Pyzhova continued to hone directorial skills even in evacuation. In Kazakhstan, she staged the magnificent play The Taming of the Shrew (1943). In collaboration with B. Bibikov and Y. Zavadsky directed the production of "Invasion" (1943).
After the war, she continues to work in the chosen direction and together with her husband in 1949 puts on the play “I want to go home!” Mikhalkov, who is awarded the prestigious award - USSR State Prize.
Teaching work
Olga Pyzhova became famous as a talented mentor. Back in 1939, she was awarded the honorary title of professor.
The actress taught novice lyceum in GITIS, Vakhtangov Studio, Theater Studio. M. N. Ermolova, VGIK.
Personal life
The actress was married to the great Boris Bibikov. They were the happiest couple. Together they were able to stage a number of interesting and entertaining performances. Olga Pyzhova and Boris Bibikov brought up a whole generation of talented lyceum artists, including Leonid Kuravlev, Svetlana Druzhinina, Lyubov Sokolova, Tamara Semina, Nonna Mordyukova and many others.
Olga Pyzhova died on November 8, 1972. She was buried in the Novodevichy cemetery of the capital.