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«It's Not All Shrovetide for the Cat» is the second performance of the Maly State Academic theatre of Russia on the Trans-Baikal stage. The play was written by Alexander Ostrovsky in 1871 and is as relevant as ever. Love or rather self-interest? Our reporters saw the production.

Watch the video on GTRK Chita website

The news that young Agnia has met a young man, the nephew of a local rich merchant, uplifted her mother’s spirits. Soon, Ippolit appears on the stage - a timid romantic, in love with Agnia. And here is the first kiss.

Unfortunately, they do not have enough time to finish sorting out their relationship. Ermil Zotych enters the Kruglovs’ house. The eyes of an elderly merchant are bent on young Agnia. This is where the story of the power of money and love intrigue begins. The agon between the rich, yet greedy and despotic Ermil Zotych and the poor but noble Ippolit arises. And the girl finds herself on the horns of a dilemma…the eternal question.

Anna Volchik: «As if you are experiencing the same emotions: the young generation really has to choose between the young and the rich. That’s the choice. I enjoyed it a lot! What would you would chose? I would have chosen a young one, because it takes one thing at a time, it’s not all Shrovetide for the cat.»

Agnia arrives at the same decision, after having a meaningful conversation with her mother. Meanwhile Ippolit gets his own way. He finds the courage to let his relative know that he is going to propose to Agnia. The merchant decides to have the laugh on his nephew and accompanies him to Kruglovs’ house as he is absolutely certain that Agnia already belongs to him. He makes a qualified fool of himself. Ermil Zotych is outraged declaiming that there is no order in this world at all, and that the poor are being too proud, instead of prostrating themselves before him. To which Agnia’s mother responds: «All good things must come to an end.»

At this time, Hippolytus achieves his. Gathering with the spirit, he says that he is going to get married to Agnia. The merchant decides to expose the nephew of a fool and goes with him to the house of the Kruglovs, because he is sure that Agnia already belongs to him. Only here in a bad light is the very Ermil Zotych.

- It triggers emotions, I can’t fully convey them, they are so deep, internal, I really loved it! And I'm stunned, I’m floating in ecstasy.

- I liked very much, the actors played very well, and their acting was very intense. I was actually driven to tears by the end of the performance. It is such a pity that we do not have the chance to see such people onstage very often, I would love to see them more often.

«You know, it's great that the Maly Theatre has come. When we come to Moscow, we always go to the Maly Theatre, especially because the Artistic Director of the theatre is Solomin.

The audience at the Trans-Baikal theatre does not let the artists go off stage for a long time. The theatre’s company feels welcome here, as if the actors do belong here. The next performance on the stage of the Trans-Baikal Regional Drama Theatre will be Alexander Ostrovsky's play Wolves and Sheep.

Vladimir Dubrovskiy, People's Artist of Russia: «That is a very fascinating performance, which is highly popular both in Moscow and when we are touring. The leading actors of the theatre are engaged in this production. Among them are People's Artists of Russia - Lyudmila Polyakova, Boris Nevzorov, Lyudmila Titova. It is an award-winning production, that is still highly successful, although it has been in Maly’s repertoire for many years.» You can see it on the stage of the regional drama theatre on May 18 and 19, 2017.