Philosophical Thriller “Mister Decorator”

Creative association “Alkonost” presents “Mister Decorator” play (in Russian). Brief synopsis in English will be handed over upon request before the show.The play was first presented in Istanbul in September 2020 with a great success and was included in the “top ten” cultural events in Russian language in Turkey in 2020. The particular feature of the performance this time is that the two main male actors will swap the characters on 11 and 12 September.The play is a remake of the original script written by a well know Russian playwrite Yuri Arabov for Oleg Tepsov’s movie of late 1980-s. However, the plot is significantly developed. The play, as the movie, will use the music by a famous Russian innovator composer Sergey Kuryokhin. Also, the play will feature poems and songs by Nikolay Goumilev, Alexander Vertinsky and Mikhail Scherbakov. Therefore, “Mister Decorator” develops the best traditions of Russian culture – both those of the “Silver Age” times and contemporary. 

The action takes place in Saint-Petersburg in 1913 and 1917 – at the edge of two eras – in decadence and art-nouveau decorations. The plot is based on the tragedy of an artist who sees his mission as “improving the reality”. The play’s innovation is that this conflict is projected upon social processes, and bold conclusions are made on the nature of both the Russian revolution and impact of technical progress on a human being. Therefore, the concept goes far beyond that of a psychological thriller and gets deep social and philosophical meaning.The performance is directed by a well-known Moscow director and playwrite Sergey Krainev. 

Original plot: Yuri Arabov
Script: Alexander Erofeev
Director: Sergey Krainev 
Music: Sergey Kurekhin
Characters and actors:
Platon Andreevich – Alexander Erofeev/Sergey Krainev
Grileaud – Sergey Krainev/Alexander Erofeev
Maria/Anna – Elena Erofeeva
Mutlu – Mutlu Cicek
Solomon Abramovich/ Monsieur in black/ Cemetery guard – Dmitry Skripkari
Mademoiselle in black – Yasmin Najmanova

The play continues for 1 hour 30 minutes without a break.