Recently, interpretations of classical works, remade in a more modern way, have become fashionable and relevant. The universally accepted and beloved compositions that have escaped from the pen of wonderful and talented masters, tested by time and epoch-making changes, take on a new guise, become closer and more understandable to the modern layman, and fascinate with their intrigue and unusual setting.
The musical “Princess of the Circus” (reviews of the audience about which will be discussed in this article) also belongs to such newly transformed works. We will also get acquainted with the cast and directors of the play, learn interesting facts about the production itself.
A little about the style and genre of the work
The idea to combine opera arias, pop dances and circus tricks in one production is very bold and innovative in an unusual way. In the entire history of musical art, no one has yet tried to realize such a risky and peculiar idea. And only in Russia did we find a person who could vividly and colorfully convey what is the cutting-edge idea in creating not only an operetta, but also a musical hall.
According to numerous reviews of the musical “Princess of the Circus”, the production brilliantly combines all the genres listed above, harmoniously interweaving them into a single spectacular and holistic composition.
Briefly about the main creators
As mentioned above, the idea to create an incredible enchanting performance based on opera solos and dance exercises belongs to Russian authors and directors.
First of all, we should mention Aleksey Ivashchenko, a wonderful songwriter and libretto, known for the charming, but so tragic musical “Nord-Ost”. Alexey Igorevich was born in 1958, for his active creative activity he created many musical productions (in some of them he participated as a performer). At various times, tried himself as a producer, translator of musicals, understudy films and so on.
Marina Shvydkaya is a Russian actress and director of theater and cinema, a service artist of the Russian Federation. Born in 1951, Marina Alexandrovna is one of the most popular directors of theater compositions. Together with Canadian Sebastian Soldeville (responsible for stunning stunts and dizzying numbers), Shvydka was able to create a magnificent musical that fascinates not only with bright and dynamic songs or circus reprises, but also with a harmonious combination of such different and complex styles of theater art.
According to numerous and commendable reviews of the play “Princess of the Circus”, the union of such diverse talented people has brought positive results - the musical is a lively, exciting act, impressive with its tenderness and energy.
History of the appearance on the modern stage
When did the premiere take place? In 2016 (mid-October), the Moscow musical theater opened the season with “The Circus Princess”. And until now, for more than a year, the production has not left the Moscow stage, attracting the attention of numerous and enthusiastic spectators. True, the team recently moved from the Gorbunov Palace of Culture to a building that is an architectural monument of regional significance, the Rossiya Theater (a former cinema). According to reviews, the musical “Princess of the Circus” on Pushkin Square, 2 (the new official address of the company) is one of the most interesting and impressive works of the theater (of course, after the rock opera “Crime and Punishment”).
The move favorably affected the popularity of not only the production, but also the ANO “Theater of the Musical” company itself. The reviews about the “Princess of the Circus” left by ordinary Moscow inhabitants in the very first days of the premiere repeatedly expressed regrets that the building of the recreation center, where the theater was originally located, is located very far from the center, and is inconvenient from the point of view of transport and other city communications.
Therefore, if you visit this performance in its new place, you will be able to note with pleasure that getting to the theater has become easy and simple. A stay in the hall is characterized by increased comfort and well-being.
What else is interesting in this statement? Before discussing this issue, let's briefly get acquainted with the work itself.
Composer and his immortal work
Imre Kalman, who wrote the operetta Princess of the Circus, is a talented Hungarian composer known for his numerous works, such as Silva, Maritsa, Violet Montmartre and others.
It is noteworthy that in the “Princess of the Circus”, written in 1926, Kalman transfers the action of the operetta to Russia, in particular, St. Petersburg. The work was greeted with a bang by his contemporaries. True, in Russia itself the operetta was not set for some time. This was fraught with political difficulties (at that time the USSR barely recovered from the civil war), as well as with numerous inaccuracies made by the author in his work, arising from ignorance of the conditions and circumstances of true life in Russia. Therefore, the characters mentioned in the production were renamed and turned into French or Austrians.
However, these are not all the changes that were made during the production of The Circus Princess on the Russian stage. According to the original, the main character of the work Mr. X was to perform his arias by tenor. In Soviet performances, the character sang in a lower voice with a baritone. This tradition was also transmitted to modern productions. In the version of the operetta staged by the Musical Theater, Mr. X sings in a pleasant lyric-dramatic baritone.
Imre Kalman with an ulterior motive transferred the effect of his composition to Russian soil. The fact is that the composer was insanely passionate about the Russian emigrant artist Vera Makinskaya, whom she later married. In the marriage, the couple had three children.
Some information for family viewing
What else can be said, according to real reviews, about the “Princess of the Circus”? The duration of the musical is three hours. This is very convenient, as it allows you to fully enjoy the divine singing, great game and intricate stunts of the performers, and at the same time, it does not burden or annoy the excessive length of the storyline and the many maneuvers.
Are there any age limits for visiting a musical? According to official information, children over the age of six can attend the performance. Therefore, if you are thinking about where to go with your family in your free time, the Moscow musical theater may be your best choice. “Circus Princess”, according to reviews of already visited viewers, is a good pastime for families with school-age children. The guys are impressed not only by complicated tricks and breathtaking dance figures, but also by the marvelous voice of the performers, and the exciting plot, and the festive dynamic atmosphere reigning throughout the performance.
Public feedback on artists
What else can be said about the acting? According to the audience’s opinion about the musical “Princess of the Circus”, the artists perfectly coped with the task assigned to them. They accurately and realistically conveyed the meaning of Kalman's work, and also vividly and distinctively depicted strong, all-consuming feelings.
In addition, almost all reviews of the musical “Princess of the Circus” boil down to the fact that the performers are not only gifted singers, but also clever, talented gymnasts, circus performers and dancers.
Male Performers
Who among such a variety of talented and spectacular actors should be mentioned first?
Of course, the lead actor. Two names are mentioned in the theater posters - Maxim Zausalin and Evgeny Shirikov.
Maxim Zausalin, born in August 1978, has been serving at the Musical Theater for more than five years. Among his many works are such diverse images as Prokhorov (“The Wasterers”), Porfiry (“Crime and Punishment”), Erast (“Poor Liza”), Don Juan (“Don Juan”) and so on.
Evgeny Shirikov is ten years younger than his colleague. He works at the Musical Theater for only a year. Prior to this, the actor successfully starred in the movie. He can be remembered from such paintings as “Provincial Madonna”, “Can I hug you?”, “Beautiful life”, etc.
According to reviews of the musical “Princess of the Circus”, both artists talentedly and inimitably performed their central role. Although each invested something different in the character, both actors completely managed to convey the subtlety and tragedy of the soul of the protagonist, his tender love and comprehensive passion for a woman. Well, there is nothing to say about performing tricks and dance steps - you only need to see it!
Female lead
The role of the rich and windy Theodora went to two young bright artists - Maria Biork and Julia Vostrilova.
Maria has been working at the Musical Theater since 2013. Prior to that, she was involved in the Sergey Bezrukov Theater and other theater associations, where she played mainly supporting roles.
Unexpected character
As many reviews of the musical “Princess of the Circus” note, the audience was pleasantly surprised to see a new character on the stage, not provided for in the original operetta. This hero turned out to be Poisson, performed by Yefim Shifrin. The famous actor got the role of intriguer and greed. It is known that the character was written specifically for Shifrin (Russian pop artist, film actor and director), so it’s not worth mentioning that the artist brilliantly performed his role, bringing a spectacular highlight to the musical.
Comic characters
Among the other heroes, the fervent and sparkling Pelican and Carolina Bonneville, performed by Pavel Lyubimtsev and Alexei Kolgan, respectively, stand out especially. In this case, the game of Alexei Anatolyevich should be mentioned separately.
Igniting the audience with his jokes and curiosities, the artist showed himself in a new role - the role of a comedian. After all, before that, Kolgan most often starred in films, portraying the serious and solid roles of bosses, mayors, deputy aides, directors, and so on. Although there is comic performance in his creative biography, the beloved Shrek speaks with the voice of Alexei Anatolyevich.
Finally
As you can see, the musical “Princess of the Circus” gathered a lot of talented artists and directors. He really is a masterpiece of the Russian musical hall and one of the most remarkable interpretations of Imre Kalman. What is there a lot to say? It is only necessary to see and feel!