The performance of Sovremennik Amsterdam, which you can read about in this article, is one of the most visited in Moscow at the moment. The plot was based on the play by Alexander Galin “Parade”, which tells about self-awareness and freedom of choice. The director of Amsterdam was Sergei Gazarov.
The story of the appearance in the repertoire of the Sovremennik Theater
For all civilized people, Amsterdam and its inhabitants are associated with concepts such as tolerance and tolerance. This was the reason for choosing the work of A. Galin as the source of the plot for the premiere performance of Sovremennik. The authors of the fun and at the same time bitter "Amsterdam" set themselves the goal of pushing the public to reflect on sore and relevant issues of non-traditional orientation and, it seems, to some extent they were able to realize their plans.
Despite the ambiguity and provocation of many scenes, a talented troupe led by S. Gazarov was able to maintain the line between genuine art and cheap fake. Also, you will not hear a definite answer to flashy questions from the characters of the play, but you will certainly think, you will sincerely empathize and have fun from the heart. Actress Alena Babenko, the performer of a key female role, identified the theme of “Amsterdam” and the attempt of members of modern society to find mutual understanding with each other, since irreconcilable extremes only seem to be such until we come face to face with them.
General production information
The cast of Amsterdam and the cast are Mikhail Efremov (Skvortsov), Alena Babenko (Larisa), Shamil Khamatov (Victor), Evgeny Pavlov (Dolores), Daria Belousova (Karina), Victoria Romanenko (Marina).
Aleksey Aigi (composer), Sofya Kruglikova (musical design), Gulshan Oleinikova (assistant director), Oleg Plaksin (assistant director), Alla Kozhenkova (costumes and set design), Olga Pshenitsyna and Alexander Matsko (choreographers), Anatoly also worked on the production. Kuznetsov (lighting designer).
The duration of the Amsterdam performance is 3 hours. The performance includes one intermission. The script is written in a comedy genre, the first action is built entirely on humor, which cannot be said about the second part. After the intermission, the audience will have to look at their values ​​and beliefs from a different angle. Only adult spectators are allowed to view the performance. Tickets for the play "Amsterdam" can be purchased or booked in several ways:
- online on the official website of Sovremennik;
- to the addresses: Chistoprudny Boulevard, 19, Red Square, 3 (TD "GUM"), Zhuravlev Square, 1 ("Palace on the Yauza");
- by phone or e-mail indicated in the official sources of the theater.
The idea and content of the play
Amsterdam tells the viewer a story about the successful Yekaterinburg businessman Skvortsov, who survived perestroika, the difficult 90s and other features of life in Russia. The main character and his wife Larisa send their son Victor to study in London. Over time, the couple will learn that their only child went with his friend to Amsterdam to attend a gay parade.
The actors of the play make you wonder: why are representatives of sexual minorities so bold, vibrant and joyful? The character of E. Pavlova Dolores is a collective image of people who, with all their strength and under any circumstances, remain friendly, avoid quarrels, insults, screaming, slamming the door and other standard reactions of a person with a normal orientation. It may be because LGBT representatives have overcome personal hell, which consists of the severity of self-determination and self-recognition, misunderstanding and rejection of this situation by relatives, and now they are better able to realize what it takes to devote valuable time and what is not worth wasting your life. In any case, after watching Amsterdam, we have to mentally answer the only question: do we have the right to condemn someone based on attitudes and ways of life that are different from ours?
Mikhail Efremov
The actor is an Honored Artist of Russia. Until 1987, he was a student of the course of V. Bogomolov at the Moscow Art Theater School. After graduation, he became the organizer and artistic director of the Sovremennik-2 Theater. Over the years of its existence, Efremov took part in the productions of “Slap”, “The Seventh Feat of Hercules” and “Shadow”. He worked on the projects “Citizen Poet” and “Mr. Good”, which were released on the Rain channel.
The actor of the play "Amsterdam" Mikhail Efremov played more than a hundred roles in the cinema. He took part in the following productions of Sovremennik: Three Sisters, Sharmanka and Anarchy. He served in theaters "School of modern play" and the Moscow Art Theater. A.P. Chekhov.
Alena Babenko
Honored Artist of the Russian Federation studied at the Faculty of Cybernetics and Mathematics at Tomsk State University. Later she became a student at the S.A. All-Russian Institute of Cinematography Gerasimov (workshop of A.V. Romashin). A. Babenko is involved in the following productions of the Sovremennik Theater: “Enemies. Love Story ”,“ Women's Time ”,“ Pygmalion ”,“ Three Sisters ”,“ Autumn Sonata ”,“ Late Love ”and“ Amsterdam ”.
The filmography of the actress has more than twenty roles. Thanks to her heroine, Vera, from the picture “A Driver for Vera”, Babenko received four awards. In 2011, the actress was awarded the “Idol” prize (production of “Enemies. A Love Story”, role - Jadwiga). Also, Alena Babenko took part in the plastic drama The Rooms ("Art Peter") directed by the choreographer O. Glushkov.
Evgeny Pavlov
The actor is a graduate of the Yaroslavl State Theater Institute (course of V.S. Shalimov). In 2007 he joined the Sovremennik troupe. The following repertoire is included in E. Pavlova’s current repertoire: “Woe from Wit”, “Three Sisters”, “Autumn Sonata”, “Pygmalion”, “We Play ... Schiller!”, “Lady”, “Amsterdam”, “Enemies. Love Story ”and“ Three Comrades ”.
At present, the artist has played in the following films: Soldiers, Split, How to Breed a Millionaire, and Mysterious Passion. In other theaters, Pavlov worked on the performances “Difficult Parents” (role - Michelle) and “Dreams of the Levitan poet” (role - Ironic Man). In 2008, he was awarded the Moscow Komsomolets Prize for staging Woe from Wit.
Positive feedback on the play Amsterdam in Sovremennik
Most of the spectators who managed to see the production were satisfied with the cast. Buying a ticket to Amsterdam is worth at least to enjoy the artistry of Mikhail Efremov, his amazing ability to convey drama with the help of a comedic image. Enthusiastic reviews about the play of Sovremennik “Amsterdam” cannot do without mentioning the stunning and vivid play of Evgeny Pavlov in the role of Dolores. His enthusiasm, plastic and high-heeled dances will remain in your heart forever. Amsterdam is the very kind of performances that makes us laugh to tears, while at the same time carrying its deepest meaning.
Lovers of quality productions will also notice well-matched music for the comedy. All viewers praise costume designer Alla Kozhenkova as one, as she created flawless outfits that perfectly fit the plot of each character.
Inappropriate reviews
Not all reviews of the play Amsterdam in Sovremennik turned out to be good. They are an order of magnitude less than positive, but still pay attention to them. Among the public there were people who called the production vulgar and uninteresting. Some found the ticket price to be too high. Others found the performance too lengthy and in some places boring.