Dead Souls

Year: 2022
Country: Russia
Stage version, idea and staging: Vladimir Ivanov
Stage & Costume design: Maksim Obrezkov
Music by: Vyzcheslav Zhukov
Lighting designer: Aleksandr Matveev
Make up: Olga Kalyavina
Cast: Maria Aronova, Vladislav Gandrabura
Genre: theatre production
Runtime: 149 min.
Age: 12+
“The gallopade was flying at full tilt: the postmaster’s wife, the police captain, the lady with the blue feather, the lady with the white feather, the Georgian prince Chipkhaykhilidzev, the official from Petersburg, the official from Moscow, the Frenchman Kuku, Perkhunovsky, Berebendovsky—all had risen and were sweeping along” (N.V. Gogol. “Dead Souls”).

Gallopade (from the French galopade) – a ballroom dance in a fast tempo, first mentioned in Russia in “Rules for Noble Social Dances” in 1825. The description of the gallopade in Gogol’s poem creates a sense of life rushing in an incredible whirlwind, having lost its reliable point of support.

Vladimir Ivanov, director: Originally our play was called “Gallopade,” but we settled on the more traditional “Dead Souls.” Gallopade is a special kind of dance where a gentleman and a lady, embracing each other, leap forward together. In this phrase, in this definition, lies the meaning and quintessence of the idea for our play, which will become a hymn to acting, to the Theater. This is the main thing, because Gogol is bottomless, he is an incredible author, and we understand that we can only show one side of him.

Awards & Festivals:

  • The "Crystal Turandot" Award ("Best Acting Duet", 2020/2021 theatrical season). 
  • The Moscow Komsomolets Theatre Award for the 2020/21 season in three categories: "Best Play. Large-Scale Production", "Best Set Designer", and "Acting Duet" (Maria Aronova and Vladislav Gandrabura).