The performance is based on K. Korkonosenko and M. Bylinkina’s translations.

Author: Julio Cortázar
Director: Yevgenia Safonova
Stage design and costumes: Ekaterina ANDREYEVA
Musical design: Roman TSEPELEV
Assistant Director: Elena BORUNOVA

Julio Cortázar wrote his play in 1949. This was an innovative interpretation of a Classical Greek Myth about a maze and a fictitious being Minotaur. This early play of the classic of the Argentinean literature had never been produced. A Classical Greek Myth about Minotaur, a monster with the head of a bull on the body of a man dwelling in an underground labyrinth in the Island of Crete became the starting point for Cortázar. Prince Theseus, who was brought to the Island of Crete along with other young people from Athens chosen for a sacrificial offering to Minotaur, defeated Minotaur and let the captives out from the maze with the help of a thread given to him by Princess Arianna, who had fallen in love with Theseus.

Cortázar is studying the nature of Power and Horror inevitably generated by this Power. Attention of the characters, i.e., Tsars (Minos, a Tsar in his declining years; Theseus, a young hero, a “Tsar to be,” and Tsar’s daughter Ariadne), is focused on a human being with the head of a bull, the fictitious being Minotaur, enclosed in a marble prison. The question “Who, in fact, is inside the maze-like construction?” turns into the major intrigue of the story. The Tsars enable Minotaur with their own complexes and fears, their logics and emotions. Thus they create their own “minotaurs” inside themselves that start living their own lives, dictating their will and controlling aspirations and actions of the tsars. The characters become victims of each other in the fight for absolute impersonation and liberation of their “own Ego,” their “I,” their “demon” and implementation of the absolute power. Is a human being capable to bridle his/her own “demons,” overcome internal passions and fears and make choice in favor of humanity and internal freedom? A quest for an answer to this question became the major theme of the performance of young director Yevgenia Safonova. She debuted with “The Tsars” on the Alexandrinsky stage. To implement the ancient myth, the director along with artist Ekaterina Andreyeva created a conditional playing space – a Labyrinth with a square mirror inside. All attention is focused on actors’ performing. Each character is presented in a “close-up” format and has his/her own light and musical themes. Costumes also play important role in this performance. They vaguely resemble Classical Greek apparels, but have modern recognizable details and accessories. The story of the tsars has a timeless significance: it could take place at any epoch. It will remain actual as long as people exist.

Cast in the order of appearance:

Minos: People’s Artist of Russia Nicolay Marton
Ariadne: Maria Lugovaya
Theseus: Stepan Balakshin
Minotaur: Vladimir Kolganov
Horevt: Maria Zimina

The performance goes for 1 hour 10 minutes without intermission.

The performance was created with support of the RF Ministry of Culture

The first night is scheduled for November 12, 2010.