In May 2017, the long-awaited premiere of the performance “The North Wind” took place on the stage of the Chekhov Moscow Art Theater . The author of the play and the director is Renata Litvinova. This name is enough to ensure maximum attention to the performance from critics and the public. According to reviews of Litvinova’s performance “The North Wind”, it was the most discussed and intriguing premiere of the season.
Renata Litvinova - a phenomenon in art
Renata Litvinova first declared herself in the nineties. Since then, this talented and extraordinary woman has not ceased to amaze fans with her creativity, way of thinking and refined beauty. Renata - Honored Artist of Russia, laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation, playwright, director and actress. Whatever Renata Litvinova creates, whether it be a role, a film or a play, there is an inimitable authorial style in everything.
Litvinova is always on its own, not like anyone. She is not afraid to tell the viewer about the innermost; she is not afraid to share through her work a special vision of reality and attitude towards the world. Litvinova is, in a sense, always shocking. But shocking not ostentatious, not artificial, not an end in itself. It’s just very unusual, not always clear, but invariably attractive. Even in her unfading subtle beauty there is some mysticism. Judging by the reviews of Litvinova’s performance “The North Wind”, in her new work she again forces the viewer to leave the familiar comfort zone.
"North Wind" - theatrical debut of director Litvinova
The play “The North Wind” is the debut of Renata Litvinova as a theater writer and director. Litvinova loves long-term cooperation with people who work with her on the same wavelength and feel well what the author wants to say. This happened in the play "North Wind". Starring Boris Plotnikov, Pavel Tabakov, Sophia Zaika, Yana Sexe, Maria Fomina. One of the main roles was brilliantly played by the oldest Moscow Art Theater actress Raisa Maximova. Another discovery for the viewer was Valentina Ivanova, the permanent administrator of the Moscow Art Theater and a professional actress. It so happened that the premiere of "North Wind" became a full-fledged debut for Ivanova.
Director Litvinova is true to herself and in the decoration of the performance. There is symbolic minimalism in everything. The costumes of the characters are made in black and gray by the extraordinary Gosha Rubchinsky. Black is also the leader in the scenery. At the very beginning of the performance, the audience is a little unusual to look at the heroes in black clothes against a background of black scenery. But, as is always the case with Litvinova’s works, very soon the audience will be captured by the “North Wind” - Renata’s New Year’s frenzy. The effect is enhanced by lighting solutions and special effects: snow and fog. According to the author, this performance is absurdity, surrealism, fantasy on the eternal theme of the search for love. The music for the production was written by the talented Zemfira, a longtime muse and friend of Litvinova.
Phantasmagoria about the wind, death and love
The performance takes place somewhere in Europe in the middle of the last century. For many years, the same New Year's table has brought together members of the same family, from generation to generation. On this, the whole "normality" of the plot ends. In the North Wind, the clock strikes the thirteenth hour every day at midnight, warping space and time. Thanks to the extra hour, the head of the family Alice constantly deceives Death, who mistakenly takes away someone else every time.
Benedict finds Love and immediately loses it due to ridiculous tragic circumstances. Fanny receives a telegram about her own death before the fatal plane crash. Margarita, who invented this damn extra hour, dies herself five minutes after meeting her lover. The heroes of the performance constantly gain and lose, make mistakes and lose, miss and confuse everyone, love and die. Some heroes are replacing others, everything is constantly changing. Only the elusive Love, the insane North wind and the pedantic Death remain eternal. Renata Litvinova herself called her work a phantasmagoria about the wind, death and love.
Music as a continuation of the action
The music for the play "North Wind" was written by the incomparable Zemfira. She and Renat Litvinov have been linked for many years by close friendship and joint creativity. Zemfira, like no one else, feels the mystical and mysterious world of Renata.
Therefore, the music in the play does not accompany the action, but continues it, telling without words about the wind, love and death. According to audience reviews, in Litvinova’s play “The North Wind”, music occupies a very important place, it is harmonious, gentle and causes inexplicable excitement in the audience.
Reviews and impressions
The performance is called by many a bright theatrical event, impressions and thoughts after watching which do not let go for several days. Spectator reviews of Litvinova’s performance “The North Wind” are full of enthusiasm. Such a unanimous acceptance of theatrical performance by the public is rare. Even those who do not quite understand the metaphors and allegories of this phantasmagoria, note the exciting and magical atmosphere prevailing in the hall. Spectators note the beautiful stage design, the brilliant play of the actors and their own complete immersion in what is happening.
Critics also welcomed the premiere. Great reviews have been written about the performance “North Wind”. Theaters note that the production captures the notes of the author’s previous works. It is a continuation of Renata's creative conversation about the eternal search for love. It is especially noted that the appearance of Litvinova herself on stage in the role of Margarita brings unusual and such recognizable colors to the overall action. In the reviews of Renata Litvinova’s performance “The North Wind”, it is regrettable that all this crazy windy blizzard ends too quickly.
Love and death
In the works of Renata Litvinova, love and death are always present nearby. Without love, life has no meaning, but death is noble and fair in its mission. They are inseparable and eternal, like life itself. In the works of Renata there is a lot of sadness, fatal events and deep thoughts. But judging by the reviews of Litvinova’s performance “The North Wind”, the viewer leaves the room thoughtful and inspired. Despite the eternal search for love and the inevitability of death, life is beautiful and invincible.