Recipe For The Russian Soul

While rehearsing for our upcoming show, Russian director Aleksey Burago and I had a heated discussion about theRussian Soul--namely, the lack of it in Hollywood's treatment of Russian literature."No! It's all wrong! They do not understand the characters' mentality! It's all room temperature! With the exception of one or two actors, none of them found the irrational, passionate, obsessive creatures only Russia is capable of producing!"War and Peace, starring the glorious Audrey Hepburn comes to mind. Everyone is so measured,so calculated. Logical choices. Impeccable diction. But it's as if someone has taken a Rachmaninov piano concerto and transcribed it for the piccolo. There's no size, the timbre too thin. They're taking on a beast with a tea spoon.I think back to my piano days at Eastman School of Music, when I was absolutely certain I was destined to become a concert pianist. Most of my teachers were Russian émigrés who taught passionately with thick accents. They spoke bluntly, animatedly, often exaggerating to the point of hysteria just to make a point. They approached music, particularly the Russian repertoire, so spiritually it bordered on fanaticism.While American teachers emphasized the theory and tonality behind compositions, the Russians pushed for imagination, theatricality, and the totalsurrendering of the soul to the audience.Twelve years ago, when I made the slow but inevitable transition to the acting, I found myself once again in the company of Russian artists. Only this time, they were children of the theater, trained from their youth to express beauty and deliver catharsis utilizing every limb in their body. They, too, worship the sacred audience. But unlike the Russian musicians, these creatures were far more irascible and fire up with the slightest provocation. Actors, especially the well-trained ones, can sense thoughts and hidden feelings. When they are plagued by self-doubt, especially during the rehearsal process, it's better to wear full-protective gear and behave as if you are walking on ice.Just what is the Russian temperament, as prescribed by the Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky and even Chekhov? Is it a love of suffering, a tortured conscience, a pessimistic outlook and a belief in superstition and luck? Rumor has it the Russian heart is always bleeding, its internal life either scathingly hot or in the midst of a blinding blizzard. One minute the characters are screaming, the next they are showering each other with kisses. And before you know it, everyone breaks into song and "Ochi Chyornye" is ringing off the walls. Am I generalizing? Unabashedly so!A Russian actor once told me, "darling, imagine the Russian character is an extravagant, oversizedcostume that is impossible to tailor. If it's too tight here you must lose the fat, but if it's too baggy there, you must gain some muscle."In other words, rise to the Russian Soul. Don't chisel it to fit the American perspective. Easier saidthan done.So now, what's the recipe for Russian Soul?1 tablespoon of Moscow in flames3 liters music in minor key, with plenty of descending fifths2 cups snow1 cup of boiling blood1 cup of hot tears1 gal vodka1 sprinkle of dillStir recklessly and serve on delicate china.Di Zhu is an actress at The Russian Arts Theater and Studio, headed by Artistic Director and renowned Russian stage director Aleksey Burago. This winter, the strange genius of Nikolai Gogol comes to life in their newest production of Avenue of Wonder, based on the short story Nevsky Prospekt. A tale of St. Petersburg filled with fantastical self-deluding characters, this show will take place at the historic Balcony Theater at West Park Presbyterian Church. For more information, please visithttp://www.russiantheater.org.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Di_Zhu/2135938