Mikhail Bulgakov is mainly known for his novels and short stories, and few people know that the writer tried himself as a playwright. “Zoykina Apartment” (a brief summary of the work will become the main theme of our article) - a play written already in adulthood, when the author was completely absorbed in the theater he was contemporary with. Therefore, the work can be safely called one of the best of its kind.
About the work
The play "Zoykina apartment" (a brief summary will be presented below) was written in 1926 and immediately staged in the theater to them. Vakhtangov. In the work, Bulgakov turned to one of the most pressing problems of Moscow of his time - the NEP. It was the so-called NEP bottom that he decided to display in the play, choosing the genre of satire for this.
The “face” of this new world is the well-known sewing workshop, under the sign of which a brothel and a brothel are hiding.
The play "Zoykina apartment": a summary
Action time is evening. May is in the yard. The main character, the widow Peltz Zoya Denisovna, stands in front of a mirror and dresses. At this moment, the chairman of the house committee by the name of Hallelujah enters. He has an important business - to inform Zoe that they will “condense” her - they decided that there are many 6 rooms for her. Zoya and Hallelujah talk for a long time, then the woman shows the housekeeper permission to open a school and a sewing workshop in the apartment. And for this we need an area of ​​16 fathoms. However, Zoe reinforces the document with a bribe. Hallelujah promises that he will try to defend her rooms and leave.
The play “Zoykina apartment” is very topical for its time. Its plot is based on Bulgakov’s personal observations, which does not cast doubt on the authenticity of the depicted vices of society.
Zoe’s lover appears - Pavel Fedorovich Abolyaninov. He is bad, so Zoe calls the maid Manyushka and sends her to the Chinese for morphine. The Chinese's name is Gasoline. He and the assistant cherubim sell drugs. Gasoline is known as a crook, so Manyushka tells him to go with her in order to breed morphine on the spot, otherwise without control he will make it too liquid. But Gasoline instead sends his assistant to the girl. Zoe herself gives an injection to her lover, after which he comes to life.
For his services, the Cherub requests more than necessary. However, Abolyaninov pays and even gives him tea, and then agrees that he will carry him morphine daily. And Zoya hires him as an ironer. The joyful cherub leaves.
Cousin
We continue to describe the summary (“Zoykina apartment”). A woman talks about her plans to Pavel. Manyushka, who knows everything, leaves for the beer shop, but forgets to close the door behind her. This is used by Amethysts - Zoe's cousin, who is reputed to be a swindler and a sharpie. He overhears Paul’s conversation with Zoe about some workshop and immediately realizes the true purpose of the room.
Manyushka returns and calls for Zoya. Seeing a cousin, she freezes. Paul is leaving. Zoya starts a conversation with Amethystov, who asks to stay with her, begins to blackmail the woman with what she heard. She decides to appoint him administrator in her institution. Pavel likes the Amethysts, he is sure that cousin Zoe will be able to fix their business.
Autumn
Ironically approaches the description of what is happening in his play Bulgakov ("Zoykina apartment"). Summary takes us to the fall. Zoin’s apartment has now become a workshop, on the wall of which hangs a portrait of Marx. In the room there is a seamstress who sews on a typewriter, and three women try on ready-made clothes. Immediately busy with their work and cutter. Gradually, everyone disperses. Only Zoya and Amethysts remain in the room. Relatives start a conversation about some kind of Alla, known for her beauty. They need her for their nightly venture. Alla owed Zoe 500 rubles and now is in great need of money, so Amethystov has no doubt that the woman will agree to their proposal.
Alla's decision
The play “Zoykina Apartment” is approaching its climax. The content describes Zoe’s doubts about Alla’s participation. Amethysts argues with her. Their skirmish is interrupted by the appearance of Manyushka, who reports that Alla has come. A girl comes in, Amethistov scatters compliments and leaves.
Zoya and Alla are left alone. The latter says that she is ashamed of the fact that she cannot repay the debt, that she has very bad finances. Zoe expresses her sympathy and immediately offers a job. She promises to pay 60 chervonets every month, forget about debts and apply for a visa - in Paris, the bridegroom is waiting for Alla. In exchange, the girl should work for 4 months in the evenings as a fashion model with Zoe, who promises that everything will remain secret.
Women agree that Alla will begin work in three days. Zoya, wanting to show her friendly disposition, gives the girl a Parisian dress. Alla thanks the hostess and leaves.
Night "studio"
Zoe goes to change clothes. Manyushka and Amethysts begin to prepare for the arrival of Goose, who is a wealthy man and director of the trust of refractory materials. It was he who owed his existence to the “studio” Zoe. Amethysts takes a portrait of Marx, and in his place hangs a picture of a naked woman. Gradually transforms the whole room.
The pianist Paul arrives, then the Cherub brings cocaine. Ladies from the night “studio” appear. Gus also comes, who asks to show French models - he needs a gift for a woman. To the music of the ladies from the "studio" demonstrate very frank outfits.
Cherub and Manyushka
The cherub calls Manyushka with him to Shanghai, promises a rich life. In response, the girl teases him and says that she will marry another, although she likes the Chinese. The cherub tries to kill Manyushka, then lets go and announces that he makes the girl an offer, and then leaves.
Gasoline appears and also makes an offer to Manyushka. The Cherub returns, and the Chinese begin to quarrel. Their skirmish is stopped by a doorbell - a commission from the People's Commissariat of Education appeared. She finds a portrait of a naked woman, listens to Gazolin's story that opium is smoked here at night, and leaves.
Denouement
The play “Zoykina Flat” is ending (we presented the summary above). Outside the night, and in the "studio" reigns fun. The show of models begins. Alla appears. Suddenly, Gus begins a scandal, because this is his lover and bride. Alla says she does not want to marry him, but wants to go to Paris. Goose reassures the cherub. The Chinese put him in a chair and kills, taking the money. Cherub and Manyushka run away.
The corpse finds Amethysts and understands everything. He breaks into a box of money with Zoyin and also escapes. Goose finds Zoe. She runs to Paul, and then to the box, but it is hacked. The two of them go to the door, but they are blocked by employees from the People's Commissariat of Education. All those present are taken to the police.
Reviews of the play “Zoykina Apartment”
Summary, feedback and readers' opinion about the work is all that is needed to decide whether or not to go to this play to the theater. So, we have already considered the first, but what do those who read the original or saw it on stage say?
Most readers and theatergoers are delighted with this play by Bulgakov. Mostly, they note incredible psychologism and accuracy in the description of the characters' characters. The author’s skill in portraying various types of people is distinguished, from the intelligentsia to bandits and crooks. The plot itself is also interesting, which allows you to see the life of the bottom in the 20s of the 20th century. Readers believe that the author managed to depict that world with great accuracy and very realistic.