3 November 2025
Ordinary miracles in the play "Once Upon a Time. There Was. A House"
The theatrical production is based on nine short stories by Alexander Tsypkin, each reminiscent of a separate apartment in a multi-story building, behind whose doors unique worlds are hidden. These stories are filled with humor and deep lyricism; they are mundane and philosophical, yet always evoke a sense of familiarity. The central setting is an ordinary house threatened by a possible gas leak. This situation becomes a catalyst for revealing the characters' true traits. While guardian angels try to prevent disaster, the audience observes the lives of the house's inhabitants.
The play features a diverse cast of 19 characters, including 13 humans and animals—two rats, two parrots, a cat, and a dog. Each of them—from hapless burglars and dreamers to an old parrot played by Konstantin Khabensky and a charming cat played by Igor Vernik—tells their own story. The short stories ("Angels," "Robbery," "Gasmen," "Rats," "Saint Valery," and others) are united into a single narrative, reminiscent of the children's fairy tale "Teremok," but filled with adult themes and questions.
Nikolai Simonov's set design is simple and functional, creating the image of a typical panel house, within which unusual dramas unfold. Director Konstantin Khabensky strives to make the play accessible and understandable to every viewer, regardless of their social status. The production is intended to initiate a broad dialogue about the soul—not only human, but also animal. As Khabensky notes, animals also have a soul deserving of attention and respect.
The play "Once Upon a Time. Once Upon a Time. House" offers reflections on the choices each of us makes every minute. Questions about faith in love, friendship, fate, happiness, and God resonate from the stage and resonate in the hearts of the audience. The production makes us think: what would we do if we knew our future? The finale unites all the plot lines into a powerful chord that changes the perception of the entire story. Tickets for the play "Once Upon a Time. A House" at the A.P. Chekhov Moscow Art Theater are available on our website.
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