The stage play “And Quiet Flows the Don” wrapped up its Beijing stop on Sunday and began its preparation for the Shanghai tour. But for many Beijing viewers, the experience of watching it was unforgettable.
The play, with an unusual length of more than eight hours, rewards the audience's energy and patience by creating a panorama of the Cossacks living along the Don River from World War I to the civil war of the Soviet Union.
Based on the Russian Nobel-winning novel of the same name, and made by veteran director Grigory Kozlov with a class of his students, the drama has won many awards, including the Golden Sofit, the Saint Petersburg Highest Theatrical Award, and more.
Read more: Russian classic-based drama 'And Quiet Flows the Don' hits theater in Beijing
Vigorous youth and love in war
The drama tells a story about a young man Grigory, who fell in love with a married woman Aksinia. After he was forced to marry another girl, the relationship between the two lovers goes through personal twists and turns as well as war and political turmoil.
A still of the drama "And Quiet Flows the Don." /Photo courtesy of Propel Performing Arts and Media
Not only their love is unconventional, but the hero Grigory is also no resolute political believer. He starts as a member of the red army and joins the white army later. But how can a character with so many flaws win people's heart?
The director, whose name is also Grigory, said the harsh conditions of the time made it hard for people to pursue what they really wanted, and what they did is actually pretty normal.
Actor Anton Momot, who plays Grigory, said it's not correct to judge people in the war time as simply being right or wrong. He said all of them just paid effort to make life better.
A still of the drama "And Quiet Flows the Don." /Photo courtesy of Propel Performing Arts and Media
Sofia Karabulina, has a romantic interpretation of her character, Aksinia. When asked by CGTN, she said, "In fact, Aksinia is a complex role. But she is full of love. Her soul, and deepest love, is for Grigory, although the relation between her and her husband is unusual."
“But many years later, when they meet again, they all know that this is true love, the eternal love.. Love always accompanies her.”
In the play, there are plenty of scenes of people singing, dancing, shouting and fighting, recreating the Cossacks’ bold and rustic lifestyle. Besides, the ups and downs of every character are tightly related to the country’s status and the progress of war, making it an art piece with historical meaning.
“The drama is to tell people, nothing is important, but no one or nation in the world needs war," said Sofia, "That’s because war can destroy a family and even everything. Wars can be avoided, and what we need is love."
Performers use scarves together with the light effect to create a temporary setting. /Photo courtesy of Propel Performing Arts and Media
Memories and interpretations
For many people, the novel "And Quiet Flows the Don” is the memory of a whole generation, especially in China’s literary world, where literature from the Soviet Union made a great impact.
"We have read this since childhood," said artist Chen Danqing, who was invited to watch the drama, "Now half a century has passed, I never thought they still looking for this, this kind of spirit, this kind of feeling."
When asked what his understanding of the Russian spirit is, the artist said, "very doughty, very Mid-Asian, very fierce and very emotional."
Feng Lujia, a 21-year-old girl who has read the book liked the play, but she said the figure of Aksinia on stage is different from what she thought as "wild and hot", since the actress Sofia is slim and looks gentle.
(Cover: A still of the drama "And Quiet Flows the Don." /Photo courtesy of Propel Performing Arts and Media)
Director: Jiang Qingrui
Videographer: Zheng Lei
Video editor: Wang Dawei, Lu Chang
Article written by: Jiang Qingrui
Copy editor: Nadeem Gill, Josh McNally
Chief editor: Qin Xiaohu