In 2009, a performance based on Richard Baer’s play “Mixed Feelings” was staged at the Lensovet Theater in St. Petersburg. The performance was liked by the public and is now included in the theater repertoire of the Lensovet Theater every season. The constant attention to the performance on the part of the viewer is largely due to the participation in the performance of stars of the first magnitude: Mikhail Boyarsky and Larisa Luppian.
The legendary Lensovet Theater: a brief history
The famous Petersburg Theater was born in 1933 under the name "New Theater". And although in 1953 the temple of art became the Lensovet Theater, the first name mystically influenced his entire creative life. The Lensovet Theater is known in St. Petersburg not only for its familiar classical repertoire, but also for avant-garde plays and productions, sometimes ambiguous and challenging. This theater is characterized by experiment and innovation. The theaters know: if you want something new and unusual, you need to go to the Lensovet Theater.
There are enough unusual facts in the history of the theater. For example, in 1940 the Lensovet Theater left, as it turned out, on its longest tour in Siberia. The troupe managed to return to Leningrad only in 1945, after the war.
The new theater house on Vladimirsky Prospekt is also surrounded by legends and myths. This once-nineteenth-century merchant mansion was turned into a game club. Vladimir merchant game house was known throughout the northern capital. Here, in addition to a large games room, there was a popular restaurant. There are many legends about losing merchants, who were taking their own lives right under the club’s restaurant palm.
The history of the house mystically influenced the repertoire of the theater. In it many times they staged performances with the central theme of the game: “The Taming of the Shrew,” “People and Passions,” “Players”.
Lucky the theater and the main directors. At different times, the theater was led by the famous Nikolai Akimov, Igor Vladimirov, Vladislav Pazi. Many great Russian actors also played and are playing within the walls of the theater. Guests of St. Petersburg are always advised to start their acquaintance with the theater Petersburg precisely from the Lensovet Theater.
Richard Baer - screenwriter and playwright
Richard Baer is known in his native America as a successful screenwriter of popular TV shows. As a playwright, Baer brought fame to the play Mixed Feelings. The work was so liked by theater directors that the performance “Mixed Feelings” is still included in the repertoires of theaters in Russia, Canada, Belgium, Holland, and of course, America. In Russia, the performance was first staged on the stage of the Variety Theater in 2003.
The play "Mixed Feelings" with Khazanov and Churikova in the lead roles was well received by the audience. Baer himself excitedly accepted the production in Russia, as it turned out that his ancestors were from Belarus, and Richard did not perceive Russia as a foreign country. Unfortunately, by the time of the production of the play “Mixed Feelings” in the Leningrad City Council, Richard Baer did not live. He passed away in 2008.
The plot of the play "Mixed feelings"
The plot of the play is based on a meeting of two old friends: a man and a woman. Behind everyone's lived life. Herman Lewis and Christina Milman were once friends of families. This happy friendship lasted for thirty years. It so happened that almost simultaneously Herman became a widower, and Christina buried her beloved husband. Faced after the losses, Herman and Christina recall the past, quarrel, reconcile, even sing and dance.
The conflict is that Herman makes Christine an offer, believing that they still have the right to happiness. Kristina takes a different view, she believes that her life with the death of her husband is over, and does not want to think about a bright future. The peculiarity of the performance “Mixed feelings” is that for more than two hours only two heroes have been present on the stage, not counting several episodic performances of minor actors. The audience is invited to talk about love, the transience of life, fidelity, sadness and happiness.
Boyarsky and Luppian - star duet
Almost all the reviews of the performance “Mixed Feelings” in the Leningrad City Council speak about the decisive importance of famous names on the theater poster. Mikhail Boyarsky and Larisa Luppian are stars of the first magnitude and favorite actors of not only their native St. Petersburg, but also the whole country. This is not the first time Boyarsky and Luppian have been paired. It is noticeable how harmonious and harmonious this creative duet is. German performed by Mikhail Sergeyevich is very charming, at times petty and jaunty, sometimes sublime and sensitive. Christina Larisa Luppian is a lady with principles, witty, mocking and vulnerable.
Famous spouses on the stage have something to say. Mikhail Boyarsky and Larisa Luppian lived a long, eventful, very ambiguous, but happy family life. They have two adult talented and famous children. And the theatergoers of St. Petersburg consider Mikhail Boyarsky a symbol of their hometown.
Advantages of the performance
In the reviews of the performance “Mixed Feelings,” the audience especially notes the vibrant play of the actors. Given that the play does not indulge in dynamic action, changing characters and scenery, it is difficult to keep the viewer's attention for the entire duration of the performance. The star duo succeeds. The audience is included in what is happening on stage, empathizes, sad and laughs.
The play “Mixed Feelings” was staged easily, gracefully, with a sense of humor. Many viewers are used to seeing Mikhail Boyarsky on the movie screen. Therefore, many were interested in Boyarsky - a theater actor. Judging by the reviews, the master did not disappoint the audience. On the stage, Mikhail Sergeyevich is also interesting and talented. Larisa Luppian is also admirable. The performance "Mixed Feelings" in the theater takes more than two hours, but it looks in one breath.
Viewers comments
From negative audience comments, you can pay attention to only two points.
First, not everyone liked the specific American humor. Many viewers felt that the play has a lot of vulgar and flat jokes. Although it is noted that the actors were able to find the right pitch and smoothed out straightforward humor.
The second, this, oddly enough, is the mega-fame of actors, especially Mikhail Boyarsky. Viewers note that Mikhail Sergeyevich has long become a legend and an independent bright unit. And this prevents at the beginning of the performance to perceive the image of the main character German Lewis, because the viewer sees only Mikhail Boyarsky. But then the true talent of the master wins, and for the viewer everything falls into place.
Few words
The play “Mixed Feelings” is a light lyrical play, which after viewing will surely leave a good impression and a feeling that life always goes on, no matter what. A performance with your favorite actors is worth it to bring it to your theater piggy bank.