Women's question " Kalevala" put theater directors to rest

In December of last year in the framework of the contest “Integration of young directors”. The National Theatres of Russia, directed by Artem Ustinov and artist Asya Bubnova, together with the actresses of the National Theatre of Karelia, showed the sketch “A Song about Things of Origin”. It was actually a compelling bid for repertory production. The young director was inspired by the female images of Elias Lennroth’s poem Kalevala.

Less than a year has passed, as the viewer was presented with a real performance, which became the closing third element of a new cycle of epic stories, along with “Cullervo” (regime V. Polyakov) and “Hyperborean”. The Myth of Lemminkäinin (E. Chernyshov).

Very symbolic on the day of the premiere, the exhibition of Anna Chobotova “Unheard” opened in the artistic foyer of the theater. At the exhibition, photographs, printed graphics and collages dedicated to Louhi, Aino, Mother Lemminkäinen, Küllikki, Marjatta, echoing the images in the play by Artem Ustinov.

Anna put a deep meaning into the concise exhibition, in her works female background images fill the space, come to the fore. And, as in psychological exercise, unfold in a new development, their emotional stigma changes hue. The evil old woman is an angry, blinded mother who lost her children. Aino is a deadlocked prey, a way out finds in the transition to another world, Maryatta is guilty without guilt, as in the play is justified by the author.

Together with the performance it is a very interesting mix of impressions. It is only a pity that the exhibition stays in the theater until mid-November. It would be great to see it before the show. Setting it right!

The show itself is very different from the sketch. The idea of the director was revealed in the definition of the genre. Artem Ustinov asked it in the format of “100 questions to Kalevala”. It's both audacious and clever at the same time. Taking the epic as a literary monument, we perceive it as something unshakable. No doubt, no discussion. But if you think about it, from the female side to the legendary text should arise a lot of questions. The role of a woman in the epic is secondary, and the one who decides to express her will immediately becomes a witch. The origin of all things is connected with the feminine principle. Who put up his knee and endured while the land, the heavens and everything else appeared.

Questions do not remain unanswered, women in the play reflect, leave the image, addressing the viewer with a monologue-confession and this becomes a revelation, the meaning of the background runes. This is what we call a song called a song.

Devoted, sold, upset, angry. It is wonderful that Artem Ustinov resolves this negative series, which has reached the level of an emotional explosion, literally with the permission of Maryatta (Lyudmila Isakov). Her innocent passion for berries, in the end, gives new life, hope to the world. And this birth of the new takes place on the tangle of the retinue of former women's lives.

In the world created by Asya Bubnova, everything is literally connected. Women connect pieces of life, stories, weave the canvas – the life basis. It's a lot of work without feat. But there's nowhere without them. Infinite strings-ropes - and life-saving ropes and yarn, can become the grid of the dungeon, and can make wonderful sounds.

The musical series in the play, created by Ksenia Kogan, deserves a separate description. It is absolutely rightly one of the most important instruments of the performance and in importance stands shoulder to shoulder with the visual design of Asi Bubnova.

The canvas woven by Xenia from sounds, melodies and voices of actresses is actually an independent serious multi-level work. This is not a soundtrack, but a real stylish Nordic cantata. I personally especially want to highlight the similar stylish “natural” sound of actresses in the spirit of “Värttinnya”. I think that the release of a musical sheet of the play would be very popular even among those who are not familiar with the production. It should be noted that the level of musicality of the theater thanks to Xenia has significantly increased. The musical is literally one step away.

Congratulations to the theater on its premiere, long life performance!