Plus one

Actor Ilya BOBKOV recruited a course for the acting department at a private university four years ago. He talked students out of it, rejected them, but in the end a team of 12 people was formed, which was a pity to part with. That's why they decided to create their own theater.

- Who needs another private theater in Almaty now? Isn't it scary?

- Of course it's scary, - Ilya confesses, - really, what fool would open a theater in our time. But during my studies I have developed my own small repertoire, I have plans, and I want to help the guys. There are almost no vacancies in theaters now, amateur or studio groups - this, in my opinion, is not quite what is needed.

The rehearsal space for the “Ilya Bobkov Workshop” is provided by an educational institution, and the birth of the theater was announced with nothing less than the premiere of Moliere’s “Tartuffe.” True, they saw a new twist in the familiar plot.

We got to the last rehearsal, which the guys jokingly called Italian among themselves for the fuss and jokes. Before the show, they were putting the final accents, laughing and anticipating meeting the audience.

- In any case, I am for the classics, I want to instill in both young actors and the public a taste for good drama, quality texts, the classical school. Literally next we have again in our reading of “Waiting for Godot”. So, despite the fact that it is a little scary, we have very big plans, and we think that we will find our audience.

Ksenia EVDOKIMENKO, photo by Timofey EVDOKIMENKO, Almaty