GOGOL. EVENINGS is a performance made in soundrama genre, where the synthesis of music and drama art is the core of an action. Original music created by SounDrama Studio especially for the performance is based on classic and ethnic music constructions, as well as on opera and rock music.

The action of the performance is divided in seasons and is presented, correspondingly, by four «pictures» on the motives of Nikolay Gogol’s EVENINGS ON A FARM NEAR DIKANKA, which are connected by common associations, love stories and relationships. These associations are shown by the means of music compositions – cycles of ritual (folklore) and classic music (compositions by Musorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky) and other stage production techniques. Besides the original Gogol’s words, transformed by Irina Lychagina into a staging text, the traditional Ukrainian folklore is used in the performance.

The first part of the performance  - MAY NIGHT OR A DROWED (MAYASKAYA NOCH' ILI UTOPLENNICA) which corresponds with spring season will be presented in September 2007. The following parts will be presented later on, one of them - in December 2007.

Because of the combination of drama art, music, modern choreography and colourful costumes in soundrama GOGOL. EVENINGS, a unique atmosphere is created on stage, a real Gogol’ phantasmagoria. Revelry at a fair gives place to disturbing mythic incidents, traditional songs – to a classic opera, jokes and dances – to lyrical compositions and philosophic parables.

During a special expedition to the far-away villages of Ukraine the director and costume designers of the performance have found and brought to Moscow the authentic folk costumes of the 19th - beginning of 20th centuries, as well as elements of decorations and props.

In soundrama GOGOL. EVENINGS classic literature is shown from a new point with the help of unordinary directing, choreographic and stage decisions. Musicians here are actors, actors, in turn, are musicians, vocalists and dancers, and musical instruments completely become the personages of the play. Subjecting the stage action to the rules of music harmony makes it more rich and gripping.

GOGOL. EVENINGS is a production with a bright personality, it reveals new senses and variations in seemingly well-known texts and motives. This soundrama performance brings together the whole variety of genres in a shining, expressive manner and uncovers the whole palette of rich Gogol’s texts.

The premiere of the production, based on the stories from EVENINGS ON A FARM NEAR DIKANKA, which was published in 1831-1832 and brought the author wide popularity, would forestall a celebration of Nikolay Gogol’ 200th anniversary in 2009.

The premiere was held on 10/09/2007
Performance duration: 1 h. 40 min.

Staged by:
Direction — Vladimir Pankov
The author of a libretto-adaptation — Irina Lichagina
Music — SounDrama studio
Scene Design — Nataliya Jolobova, Sergey Agafonov
Misic Direction — Sergey Ropdyukov, Alexander Gusev
Choreography — Sergey Zemlyansky
Sound — Andrey Volkov, Sergey Volkov
Tecnical equipment — THEATRE SOLUTIONS company
Light Design — Andrey Tarasov (THEATRE SOLUTIONS company).

Performed by:
Alexander Gusev, Alina Olshanskaya, Alisa Estrina, Anastasiya Sicheva, Andrey Zavodyuk, Vladimir Kudryavtsev, Vladimir Nelinov, Olga Berger, Olga Demina, Pavel Akimkin, Petr Markin, Sergey Rodyukov, Sergey Shevchenko, Taras Kutsenko.