🎭 My Dad is Gulliver: A Theatrical Feast for the Family! 🎉
Well, well, well! November has rolled in like a clumsy jester, and what do we see? The premiere of Roman Gabria’s “My Dad is Gulliver” (12+) at the Drama Theater named after the theatrical titan V.F. Komissarzhevskaya in Ussuriysk! If you’ve ever wondered where drama, family secrets, and the occasional existential crisis converge, look no further. It’s a buffet of emotions served with a side of humor — a recipe for what might just be the theatrical highlight of the year!
Now, if you’re not familiar with Gabria, let me give you the 411. This chap is not one to shy away from the stage. Four years handed him quite the opportunity when he staged “Karenin” (18+), which earned its fair share of accolades. It even strutted its stuff on the longlist of the prestigious “Golden Mask” festival, much like a pompous peacock. But enough about the past; let’s dig into “My Dad is Gulliver” — or as I like to call it, “Family Reunion: The Theatrical Edition!”
🎉 Plot Twist – Family Secrets on Display!
Picture this: a jolly feast for Nikolai Pavlovich Epishev’s 70th birthday — music, laughter, and all the family drama you could ever wish for! Now, here’s the kicker. As this well-meaning party unfolds, family members seem to have decided that it’s the perfect moment to air their dirty laundry. You know how it is! One moment you’re blowing out the candles, and the next, you’re stuck in the middle of a melodrama that feels more like an episode of a binge-worthy reality show, complete with audience interaction! “You there in the fourth row, what do you think of Uncle Boris’s questionable choices?”
🎤 A Director with a Vision
Our dear director Gabria is aiming for a cinematic experience on stage! He describes the performance as a “film frame on stage” — which sounds great until you realize that it’s a bit like watching “The Office” with the outtakes playing in the background. Dialogue filled with generational angst? Check! Profound realizations about love and family? Double-check! It’s basically therapy but with better lighting and costumes that just might outshine your aunt’s Christmas jumper.
🌟 Trash Art & Family Bonds
Let’s not forget the colorful cast supporting this production. Enter Andryusha Rublev — a trash artist with a flair for creating installations from, you guessed it, garbage! With Sergei Litvinenko embodying this role, we’re in for a treat. He didn’t just stop at acting; he rolled up his sleeves, delved into the world of trash art, and even set up a telegram channel for his character. Now that’s commitment! I can’t help but wonder if my bin could be the next artistic statement!
Accompanying this parade of personality is a stellar cast, including Boris Bekharsky as the birthday boy, and other fabulous actors bringing familial dysfunction to life. You can almost hear the audience gasping in shock — or is that laughter? Let’s hope it’s the latter! Who knew family drama could be this entertaining?
🎼 Musical Revelry! 🎶
Gabria isn’t just playing puppet master; he’s also taking charge of the musical design. Because nothing says “let’s tackle family secrets” like a killer soundtrack, right? With a team of talented artists from St. Petersburg by his side, including lighting designer Maxim Akhrameev, you can bet your last ruble that the visuals will be just as captivating as the plot.
💭 A Bit of Reflection
In its essence, “My Dad is Gulliver” asks the question we all ponder: what really is true love? A question as old as time itself, and just as complicated! With a format that swings between comedy and depth, this production could very well set the stage for some serious post-show discussions over a glass of something stronger than water!
🎭 Final Curtain Call!
The world may be chaotic, but if there’s one thing we can count on, it’s Gabria’s ability to transform a simple family gathering into an evening of revelations— and of course, a few laughs. If you’re in or around Ussuriysk, grab your ticket, take your seat, and prepare to be thoroughly entertained! And remember, the only thing more dramatic than the production itself is the inevitable family drama that comes with the holidays!
The beginning of November witnessed a significant cultural event with the premiere of Roman Gabria’s captivating production “My Dad is Gulliver” (12+) at Ussuriysk’s renowned Drama Theater named after V.F. Komissarzhevskaya. Renowned as the chief director of the illustrious St. Petersburg “Masterskaya” theater, Gabria has adapted this performance from an original play that was initially conceived as a film script. This collaboration with the creative team of the Ussuri theater is not unfamiliar to Gabria; in fact, four years prior, he directed the touching family melodrama “Karenin” (18+) here, which later earned a spot on the longlist of the prestigious XXVIII Russian National Theater Festival “Golden Mask” (12+). UssurMedia news agency delves into the distinctive features of this new work.
The narrative revolves around a joyous feast held at the home of Nikolai Pavlovich Epishev, a celebrated cardiologist from St. Petersburg, in honor of his momentous 70th birthday. Yet, as is often the case in the complexities of everyday life, what begins as an innocent gathering of relatives quickly spirals into a series of exposés regarding the personal secrets of the celebrants. These revelations sweep through the audience—drawing them into the narrative like the tentacles of an octopus. The viewers are granted the rare opportunity, akin to a reality show format, to engage with the characters’ lives and witness their profound personal transformations unfold throughout one eventful evening.
Reflecting on his creative vision, Roman Gabria remarked, “With my text, I aimed to encapsulate the essence of contemporary generational and interpersonal conflicts and attractions through fleeting dialogues and relatable human moments. The performance at the Ussuri Drama Theater serves as yet another attempt to bring a cinematic frame to the stage and to explore, up close, the joys of existence, the bizarre coincidences of circumstance, and ultimately, the nature of family and true love. This production is a quest for understanding where and how genuine love reveals itself.”
The storyline features a diverse ensemble of vividly portrayed characters. Among them is Andryusha Rublev, a notable figure in the world of trash art, interpreted masterfully by Sergei Litvinenko. Rublev, the artistic offspring of a professor specializing in sterile medicine, is such a richly woven character that Litvinenko immersed himself in the role to the extent of creating his own stage props and establishing a telegraph channel (18+) in character as Andrei Rublev.
“I embody an unconventional artist deeply involved in trash art, crafting intriguing installations from discarded materials. This role presents a fascinating challenge, and the director has provided invaluable insights that enhanced my portrayal. To truly step into this character’s shoes, I researched various artists within this genre. My exploration even led me to create my own installations—I scoured for discarded items, brainstormed ideas, and discovered a wealth of compelling material in the process of rehearsing,” shared Sergei Litvinenko.
Boris Bekharsky portrays Nikolai Pavlovich Epishev, while his onstage family includes Lyubov Nikolaeva as Lyubov Andreevna (the mother), Vera Borscheva as Kira (the granddaughter), and Nadezhda Glinskaya as Natalia Zhitkova (the eldest daughter). The family also features Vadim Vorobyov (Alexander Zhitkov, Natalya’s husband), Olga Bantseeva (Olga Episheva, the youngest daughter), Sergei Litvinenko (Andryusha Rublev, Ruble), Sergei Denezhkin (David Davidovich Andzhibabyan, a guest), and Arina Korzh as Lena (Olga’s friend), all of whom contribute to bringing the “scenes from the life of a professor” vividly to life on stage.
In addition to directing and writing, Roman Gabria took personal charge of the musical design for the production, collaborating with a talented creative team from St. Petersburg that included Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, Elena Zhukova, as production designer, and lighting designer Maxim Akhrameev, contributing to the overall aesthetic of the performance.
The premiere of “My Dad is Gulliver” (12+) marks Roman Gabria’s second venture with the Drama Theater named after V.F. Komissarzhevskaya. His previous work, “Karenina,” adapted from Vasily Sigarev’s interpretation of Leo Tolstoy’s iconic novel, premiered in 2020 and subsequently earned recognition in the longlist of the XXVIII Russian National Theater Festival “Golden Mask” in 2021.
### Interview with Roman Gabria, Director of “My Dad is Gulliver”
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Roman! Congratulations on the premiere of “My Dad is Gulliver.” It sounds like a captivating exploration of family dynamics. What inspired you to adapt this play?
**Roman Gabria:** Thank you! The inspiration came from observing how family gatherings can quickly shift from joyous celebrations to moments of startling honesty. I wanted to capture that intricate dance of emotions and secrets that often bubble to the surface during such gatherings. The narrative flowed from the idea of a birthday feast that inadvertently becomes a stage for confronting family truths.
**Interviewer:** That sounds intriguing! How do you think the audience will engage with this unique format, which you describe as somewhat akin to a reality show?
**Roman Gabria:** I believe the audience will feel a deep connection with the characters. By allowing them to engage directly with the unfolding drama, we create an immersive experience. It’s as if they are not just watching but participating in a shared moment of revelation. The format provides a space for laughter, reflection, and sometimes discomfort—just like real family interactions.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that you’ve employed a cinematic approach to the play. Can you elaborate on this vision?
**Roman Gabria:** Absolutely! I envision the performance as a “film frame on stage.” By using dynamic lighting and sound design, we create a visually stunning environment that enhances the emotional depth of the dialogues. Each scene is crafted to feel like a snapshot of life, making the audience contemplate not just the story but their own familial ties and experiences.
**Interviewer:** I’m particularly curious about Andryusha Rublev, the trash artist in the play. How did you choose to portray such a unique character?
**Roman Gabria:** Andryusha is a fascinating character—the embodiment of modern art in all its eclectic beauty. Sergei Litvinenko, who plays him, has fully embraced the role, even engaging in trash art himself to understand the character better. It’s a commentary on creativity and the way we view discarded things, including familial connections.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like there’s a strong emphasis on creativity both on and off the stage! What themes do you hope the audience will take away from “My Dad is Gulliver”?
**Roman Gabria:** At its core, the play explores true love and the complexities that come with it. I want the audience to reflect on their own relationships and the layers of love that exist within families. After the laughter subsides, I hope they leave with a deeper understanding of their connections—both the chaos and the beautiful moments that make it all worthwhile.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Roman. It sounds like “My Dad is Gulliver” is a theatrical experience that will resonate deeply. We can’t wait to see it!
**Roman Gabria:** Thank you! I hope everyone enjoys the performance as much as we enjoyed creating it. Remember, every family has its drama, and that’s what makes us human!
