The Hermitage Theater in Moscow has recently convened its troupe, marking the dawn of its 66th theatrical season. Under the visionary guidance of Artistic Director Mikhail Levitin, this season promises not only a series of captivating premieres but also a long-anticipated, albeit uncertain, return to the theater`s original, historic home in the picturesque Hermitage Garden. This period is particularly significant as it also coincides with Levitin`s 80th birthday, a milestone he approaches with a characteristic blend of humility and profound artistic ambition.
A Storied Homecoming: The Hermitage Theater`s Elusive Return
For nearly a decade, since 2016, the Hermitage Theater has operated from a temporary stage on Novy Arbat, a consequence of the prolonged restoration work on its historical building. The prospect of returning to its spiritual and architectural home has been a persistent theme, bordering on a romanticized saga, as Levitin himself wryly noted, likening it to a long-lost love affair. The good news, arriving like a belated New Year`s gift in January, was the official approval of the building`s restoration project. Construction, it is hoped, will commence in November of this year.
Moscow`s Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, has reportedly highlighted this restoration as one of the city`s three most crucial construction projects, lending considerable weight to the theater`s hopes. Levitin expressed a deep personal desire to return to the space, to create new works specifically tailored for it, and to honor the memory of those who contributed to its legacy. The current stage on Novy Arbat, despite hosting successful premieres like “Merry Woman” and “Forest. Private Case,” has often felt constricting for the theater`s ambitious artistic visions, a sentiment likely to extend to the grand scale of “Hamlet.”
“Hamlet. Plot”: A Director`s Personal Odyssey and a Timeless Classic
The centerpiece of the 66th season is undoubtedly the premiere of “Hamlet. Plot,” a production Levitin has contemplated for many years. Despite his modesty regarding his upcoming 80th birthday, it is evident that this deeply personal interpretation of Shakespeare`s masterpiece is a gift he intends for his audience. The director openly admits to a profound, almost inevitable, connection to the play, describing it as “a living person, not a character or a story,” and, significantly, “a story with my father.” This intertwining of the universal tragedy with his personal recollections promises a unique and poignant theatrical experience, slated for December, or certainly no earlier than November.
Levitin also addressed the contemporary theatrical landscape, where “Hamlet” productions seem to proliferate. He quipped, “We`re all playing the same tune, but differently,” before asserting the timeless necessity of the play. “There can never be too much Hamlet. He is the only one who has been thinking for all of us for 400 years, caring for his dignity. And for me, there is beauty in it, a beauty everyone finds their own way.”
The musical score for “Hamlet. Plot” is being composed by the renowned Vladimir Dashkevich, a remarkable feat given his 91 years. His well-known tenacity and the possibility of him incorporating elements from a previously discussed vocal cycle based on Shakespeare`s sonnets add an intriguing layer of anticipation to the premiere.
Nurturing Talent: The Small Stage and Emerging Voices
Beyond the grand main stage production, the Hermitage Theater continues to foster new talent through its “Theater of Mikhail Levitin through the Eyes of His Students” initiative and the Small Stage. Actor Vasily Korsunov, who will also star in the upcoming “Hamlet,” is directing “Scoundrel Bach,” based on Mikhail Levitin`s own prose. Korsunov`s previous success on the Small Stage, “Interview with the Soul,” an adaptation of Alexander Gelman`s poetry, sets a high bar.
Another promising premiere is “The Black Hen, or Underground Dwellers,” an adaptation of Antony Pogorelsky`s novella, helmed by Deputy Artistic Director Stanislav Sukharev. This production is already seen as a potential candidate for the Main Stage repertoire. Additionally, Olga Levitina will take the director`s chair for “Old Women,” based on Friedrich Gorenstein`s story, while Irina Bogdanova will present her interpretation of Fazil Iskander`s work, titled “Aren`t You Crazy?”
A Season of Renewal and Resurgence
The 66th season at the Hermitage Theater is poised to be one of profound significance. It marks not only the artistic director`s personal milestone and the ambitious undertaking of a new “Hamlet” but also represents a pivotal moment for the theater`s physical presence. The hopeful, yet cautious, anticipation surrounding the return to its historical building underscores a deeper desire for artistic freedom and expansion. As the curtains prepare to rise, both the troupe and its loyal audience await a season that promises to be a testament to resilience, innovation, and the enduring power of theatrical art.
