The New Zealand premiere of The Little Tragedies is at BATS Theatre in Wellington until October 4.
The Little Tragedies is a modern poetic interpretation of Alexander Pushkin's nineteenth-century Russian masterpiece about free will, fate, and the human obsessions that continues to haunt us two hundred years after the four "little tragedies" were first penned.The New Zealand premiere of The Little Tragedies is at BATS Theatre in Wellington until October 4.
The Little Tragedies is a modern poetic interpretation of Alexander Pushkin's nineteenth-century Russian masterpiece about free will, fate, and the human obsessions that continues to haunt us two hundred years after the four "little tragedies" were first penned.Encompassing themes of vice and virtue, money and rivalry, love and death, Pushkin's poetry has long been considered particularly difficult to approach in translation. This production is designed to bring Pushkin's genius to a non-Russian speaking audience and uses the acclaimed English translation by Nancy Anderson.
It will be directed by premiere Russian theatre director Slava Stepnov.
A graduate of the Russian Academy of Dramatic Arts (GITIS) in Moscow, Mr. Stepnov has been working for the theatre over 25 years as director, actor, and playwright. His directing credits include pieces by Anton Chekhov, William Shakespeare, Luigi Pirandello, Lord Byron, Edward Albee, and others. Stepnov has worked in theatres throughout Russia, Georgia, Peru, United States. He has written three plays and numerous essays. In 1993, Mr. Stepnov organized the Pacific Theater Festival in Vladivostok.
Mr. Stepnov came to the United States in 1995 as a guest teacher and director at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. In 1997 Stepnov moved to New York City and founded the Steps Theatre Production Company.
American critics have called Stepnov's style "movie-esque" and one of his productions a "unique directorial gem". Russian critics referred to him as a "genuine artistic whose choices in a process of searching for forms and expressions are always surprising", and concluded that Stepnov "might find himself in the company of such masters as Barishnikov, Nuriev and Brodsky".
Theatre of Glorious Abandon and STEPS Theatre offer their own version of Pushkin's lyrical drama, exploring it by means of live music, drama, and dance. This production marks the New Zealand premiere of The Little Tragedies and offers a rare chance to experience the depth and peculiarity of classic Russian poetry.
Starring: Gene Alexander, Antonia Bale, Matt Clayton, Phil Darkins, Sarah Lineham, Phil Peleton and Paul Stephanus.
Theatre of Glorious Abandon (NZ) and STEPS Theatre (New York) presents . . .
The Copthorne Hotel Season of...
The Little Tragedies
By Alexander Pushkin
Directed by Slava Stepnov
23 Sept - 4 Oct, 9.30pm
BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce
Bookings: 802 4175 or book@bats.co.nz Cost: $18/12
Human Obsession, Rivalry and Death . . . by the Master!