Century-end: Mark Zakharov's Lenkom turns 100 years old

Another Moscow theater has reached a century-old milestone. This season will be the hundredth for Mark Zakharov's Lenkom, which has been headed by Vladimir Pankov for the second year. Unlike his colleagues, who had scheduled 10 premieres each, the artistic director assigned the troupe only two — "Uncle Vanya" by Anton Chekhov and "Vassa Zheleznova" by Maxim Gorky. The highlight of the season will be the anniversary celebration. Izvestia learned the internal business news and congratulated the Lenkom members on the start of the new labor season.

From Vampilov to Gorky

An hour before noon, the Lenkom auditorium is packed to capacity. In the stalls there is a star troupe of the legendary theater: Ivan Agapov, Dmitry Pevtsov, Viktor Rakov, Anna Yakunina, Anna Bolshova, Alexey Maklakov and dozens of Lenkom members — from novice artists to folk.

Among them is the People's Artist of Russia Alexander Zbruev, who has already appeared on his native stage three times since the beginning of the season. At the end of March, he delighted fans with a one-man show about his life, during which the artist not only tells stories, but also plays the drums. Zbruev not only returned to full—fledged acting after his illness, but also completed his autobiography, which already has a title - "The Nobleman of the Arbat court." Alexander Viktorovich celebrates the centenary of Lenkom with philosophical nostalgia.

"My friends are within these walls. They are no longer alive, but they remained in the halls, in the foyer, in the corridors. My loyalty to the theater is based on the fact that I have communicated with such wonderful people as Evgeny Pavlovich Leonov. A few days ago, he would have turned 100 years old. He worked here for 33 years. You don't notice him, but I still feel like he's here. At my age, it's hard to think too far ahead. I don't think about it anymore. Hope dies last — such banal words, but nevertheless I would like to serve this house more than once," Zbruev told Izvestia.

And the house is already 100 years old. And such a significant date fell to the lot of Vladimir Pankov.

— This is a very big bet for us. In general, we behave honestly in relation to dates. We don't have any passing stage, anniversary or anything else," the artistic director confessed to Izvestia.

His words are also confirmed by the first premiere, "The Eldest Son, or Letters to his Son," dedicated to the centenary of the people's favorite Evgeny Leonov. Pankov combined the famous story of Alexander Vampilov with the memoirs of the artist himself, and invited his son, Andrei Leonov, to play the main role.

— We also treated Evgeny Leonov's 100th birthday fairly. This is not just an anniversary, but a whole play about Andrey Evgenievich. This is the first job that is being put on him. And, of course, it employs young people who adore Andrey Evgenievich and help him in everything. If you had seen these rehearsals, with what trepidation they treat him," Pankov said.

If viewers see "The Eldest Son" tomorrow, then the next premiere will be only in the second half of the season. It will be one of the most famous plays in the world repertoire — "Uncle Vanya" by Anton Chekhov. The main role is played by People's Artist of Russia Sergey Stepanchenko. The second major work is the play "Vassa Zheleznova" based on the outstanding tragedy by Maxim Gorky with People's Artist of Russia Tatyana Kravchenko.

Young blood and loyalty to the profession

At the same time, the anniversary season for Lenkom is not only an occasion to look back at its own history, but also an opportunity to determine how the theater wants to enter the next century. Therefore, the conversation about the future here inevitably goes hand in hand with the conversation about traditions, continuity and new people.

Maria Tarelkina joined the troupe, who, according to the artistic director, has been proving her professional worth for a year. The same will have to be done by the trainee group, which will also begin its activities in the theater this season.

— Before entering the Lenkom Theater, young artists must prove that they have the right to work here and love the theater. We need to get used to it, take a closer look," Pankov explained his decision.

He wished the young artists to observe the "hygiene of relationships", as well as "not to be carried away by much", to love and serve the theater.

And to those who were particularly successful in this field, People's Artist of Russia Viktor Rakov presented the Evgeny Leonov award. Ivan Agapov received the prize for the best male role, and two actresses at once — Zinaida Dianova and Elena Stepanova - for the female role. Alexander Zbruev was awarded a separate award for his loyalty to the theater and a standing ovation.

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The artistic director of the theater, Vladimir Pankov, gave the artists a test of Ilf and Petrov's satire.

While most creative institutions are actively exploring artificial intelligence and introducing advanced technologies into their work, Vladimir Pankov sees danger in neural networks, but recognizes their inevitability.

— I always give students such an example. Have you ever seen a fly that hits the glass and can't fly out? Why can't she fly out? Because if a fly had brains, it would have flown back, looked where the window was. Sometimes you have to fly back to see what's next, rather than blindly chasing. Once upon a time, there were cameras on stage, and all this was new to us. It's inevitable. Children are already born with mobile phones. In a few years, even this will be perceived as something familiar. Therefore, whether we want it or are afraid of it, it will happen anyway," he told Izvestia.

Today, Lenkom, which is no longer young, but retains its hooligan enthusiasm, has chosen not to pursue progress. He is strengthening his century-old home and preparing for what the next century will inevitably bring.