Dance of Cultures: The Norwegian Poem "Peer Gynt" in a Plastic- Dramatic Performance in Russian, Performed by Master's Students from China

Associate Professor Daria Gennadyevna Kovrizhkina, from the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language and Methods of Teaching it at St Petersburg University, along with students from China, attended a plastic-dramatic performance of "Peer Gynt", based on the play by H. Ibsen, at the Russian State Institute of Performing Arts and shared her impressions.

This performance was given by graduate students from Tatyana Kuzovleva's Chinese course. The director of the production is Alexey Yuryevich Astakhov - an actor, director, International Department Manager and associate professor of the Department of Acting of the Russian State Institute of Performing Arts (RSIPA). This is not the first time Alexey Yuryevich has welcomed our students and teachers at RSIPA. Of particular interest is the fact that the master's students from China performed in Russian. For our listeners, this experience not only offers contact with art but also serves as an example of how one can succeed in learning the Russian language.

«A soulful, heartfelt, and exciting performance! The actors were amazing: frank, bright, open, and bold. The director’s concept was interesting, with brilliant stage composition and production and an unconventional artistic solution! Excellent work by the stage composition and production teacher, Alexey Astakhov, choreographer Anna Belich, flamenco teacher Olga Makarova, and everyone who participated in the creation of this magnificent performance.

This production makes the audience stop for a moment, think, and reflect on what is happening around them. In our fast-paced modern life, we often forget that we sometimes we need to slow down and consider not only ourselves, our affairs, and problems but also remember those people for whom we are important and valuable. Through their performance in the plastic-dramatic poem "Peer Gynt", the actors show us that life does not last forever, it can end at any moment, and we need to appreciate every moment of it.

I would like to express my admiration for the excellent command of the Russian language demonstrated by the Chinese students. The actors subtly feel every word they utter, which draws even more attention to them. It was impossible to tear oneself away from their fluid movements; you wanted to follow their every step on stage. Their amazing acting and plasticity are mesmerizing; they move, sing, and dance magnificently. Each of the actors playing in this production is talented and unique. The enormous potential of the actors, their love for the acting profession, and their ability to interact with each other on stage are evident. Although only master's students participated in the performance, they managed to evoke deep feelings in the audience. We empathized with all the characters, crying and laughing with them. This is a true team of professionals.

Thank you for your work! With your efforts, the world is becoming a better place! I wish the director and the entire troupe new creative successes, discoveries, victories and appreciative spectators! Good luck on your creative path! I recommend everyone to see this wonderful production.»

Daria Gennadyevna Kovrizhkina,
Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor
from the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language
and Methods of Teaching it at St Petersburg University