OGogol, gourmet performance in Russian style to mark Gogol’s bicentennial
Nikolai Gogol adored macaroni and couldn’t stay away from pickles.
If it weren’t for Ilya Krouglikov and Jessie Mill and their Kapostroff theatre company, I might never have known these gastronomical facts about the renowned author of Dead Souls.
Nor would I have spent Friday evening observing dinner theatre, Russian style, within the private residence of the Russian consul-general, feeling like I’d just stepped into a play by Anton Chekhov.
Krouglikov, a former mathematician, and Mill are UQÀM theatre graduates who have hooked up with the Canadian Foundation of Russian Culture to present this unique evening of theatre, gastronomy, musical and visual arts.
As far as they know, it’s the only celebration of Gogol’s 200th birthday in Canada, let alone Quebec. But according to Russian consul-general Alexey Isakov, there are major celebrations in Russia. As well, a commemorative coin was issued by the National Bank of the Ukraine. In Austria, a full-length opera on his life, by Russian composer/librettist Lera Auerbach, was commissioned.
Gogol (1809-1852) was born in the Ukraine, but moved to St. Petersburg in 1828. He’s a member of the pantheon of Russian literature along with Alexander Pushkin, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Maxim Gorky, Leo Tolstoy and Chekhov. In addition to his masterpiece, Dead Souls, Gogol wrote the epic historical tale Taras Bulba, important plays (The Inspector-General) and short stories (The Overcoat, The Nose). His works are dark, comedic, often touching on the grotesque.
In the Kapostroff event, titled O Gogol, the writer is portrayed by a tall, dark-haired young man named Franck Vignal, who wanders silently from room to room. Sometimes he sits in a corner and draws. Vignal is actually a visual artist whose paintings, inspired by Marc Chagall (who was inspired by Gogol), are on display in an adjoining room. “He’s a symbolic presence,” Mill explained.
As is violinist Sergei Trofanov, who lets his music speak for itself.
Krouglikov didn’t have much time to chat on opening night (Friday), as he was doubling as a waiter, helping out consulate staff. Tatiana Krouglikova, president of the Canadian Foundation of Russian Culture, was also preoccupied with the details of serving the meal prepared by chef Larissa Shabalinksy. Even consul-general Isakov got into the act, delivering a welcome speech.
For the event, the tables are already laden with gourmet delights (appropriate to Gogol’s epoch) when guests are ushered into two separate dining rooms. Theatrical performances (mainly in French) are interwoven with the meal. O Gogol begins with Vitali Makarov and Igor Ovadis acting out an argumentative scene from the Inspector-General. (The reactions of the dinner guests are almost as entertaining as the performances.)
Meanwhile, next door, Mélanie Tardiff and Mill offer educational tidbits about the author’s life. Once these scenes are completed, the performers switch rooms and repeat them, then move on to other texts. This classy dinner theatre experience runs 21/2 hours, but I wasn’t able to stay until the end.
Frankly, O Gogol is worth the price of admission just to see the interior (ground floor only) of a magnificently restored Golden Square Mile mansion. The celebratory spirit is infectious. And, yes, vodka is included.
O Gogol plays on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Russian consul-general’s residence, 3685 du Musée Ave. Tickets (dinner included) cost $50. Advanced booking is necessary: 514-523-7713 or ogogol@kapostroff.com. Tickets are also on sale at Librairie Gallimard (3700 St. Laurent Blvd.) and La Petite Russie (4953 Queen Mary Rd.)
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