Every day is not Sunday in Moscow, Maly Theater

In the city of Moscow, on the stage of the famous State Academic Maly Theater of Russia, the play “It’s not all Maslenitsa” based on the play of the same name by Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky will be shown. Stage director - Honored Artist of Russia Vitaly Ivanov.

Before us is the Kruglov family: the widow of a merchant and her daughter Agnia. They live very poorly. Agnia is simultaneously courted by the wealthy merchant Akhov and his clerk Ippolit. The young girl has her own requirements for her future chosen one, who, in her opinion, must be strong, courageous and decisive. Hippolyte is trying in every possible way to demonstrate these qualities, but so far to no avail. Akhov has decent wealth on his side. He gives the bride many gifts, but in return demands humility. At one point, Hippolytus decides to demand a salary from the merchant for his service, threatening suicide. Akhov agrees. This turn of events clearly impresses Agnia, and she gives her consent to Hippolytus.

The play “It’s not all Maslenitsa for the cat” was staged on the stage of the Maly Theater several times. The 1973 production with Vitaly Solomin in the role of Hippolytus was especially popular. Then director Viktor Khokhryakov allowed himself to deviate a little from Ostrovsky’s words. The performance was purely acting and was full of improvisation. All the action on stage took place around Solomin’s charisma. He could remain silent and look piercingly into the audience, which at that time exploded with laughter. Many critics noted that in that performance Vitaly Methodievich revealed a completely new side.

Now the new production of the play has been entrusted to the Honored Artist of Russia Vitaly Ivanov, who has staged about twenty performances within the walls of Maly for more than half a century.