Over 1.5 million people watched the performance "Morozko" in its first days
In just three days, the multi-genre performance "Morozko" was watched by over 1.5 million viewers online, while almost 4,000 people attended the production at the National Centre RUSSIA in person. The showings of the country's main New Year premiere began on 27 December. The performance is based on the well-known Russian folk tale and presented in a relevant modern interpretation.
"The National Centre RUSSIA was created by order of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, and one of our key tasks is to preserve culture and traditional values, passing them on to future generations. That is precisely why we decided to create a completely new performance, but based on the fairytale beloved by everyone. It organically intertwines motifs of Russian classics — here are images of the Firebird, references to 'Ruslan and Lyudmila', and music by great Russian composers: Rimsky-Korsakov, Stravinsky. It was fundamentally important for us that this production be truly family-oriented. That it be interesting for both the children and the parents, and the grandparents. Essentially, we set ourselves an inherently extremely difficult task — to create a performance that the whole family would attend and in which each one would find something of their own: for some, it is fairytale images familiar from childhood; for others, it is the high art of ballet and music, or warm emotions and a sense of celebration," said Anastasia Zvyagina, Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA.
While working on the script, the authors relied on the research of folklorist Vladimir Propp, according to which a fairytale is built on a clear and precise dramatic structure: from initial chaos, a hero travels through a series of trials and the inner transformation to harmony and a happy ending. It was this classic structure that formed the basis of the production and determined its development.
"Morozko" employed several art forms: opera, ballet, folk, and others. The balance between immersion, multimedia elements, and live performance was built on a principle widely applied and in demand among modern audiences today.
"With modern multimedia screens, any set design can be recreated. The performance is multi-genre not only from a creative point of view, but also in its method of presentation. Modern children love visual richness, LED screens, dynamic content — and we provide that. The older generation values folklore, folk style, large ensembles — and that is also present. Regarding the themes, it's not about opposing technology and art. We cannot go anywhere without technology today, and we shouldn't divide the world into 'good' and 'bad'. The main thing is to place the accents correctly," said Chulpan Piotrovskaya, chief director and screenwriter of the performance "Morozko ".
The idea of creating "Morozko" belongs to Bolshoi Theatre premier soloist Igor Tsvirko, who proposed realising a New Year multi-genre performance on the stage of the National Centre RUSSIA, combining the traditions of a folk tale and modern theatrical language.
Leading artists from the Bolshoi Theatre, the "Kremlin Ballet", soloists from the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theatre, the Russian National Ballet "Kostroma", the country's leading Baba Yaga By BABA YAGA, the musical folk group "Buranovskiye Babushki", actors from the Vakhtangov Theatre and the "By Nikitsky Gates" Theatre, and other performers took part in the production.
The country's leading Baba Yaga noted that the fairytale "Morozko" is a true New Year miracle. According to her, the production is about key values — love and mutual understanding in the family.
"The performance will undoubtedly be interesting for all ages. It is about kindness and mutual understanding in the family. This is very, very important at all times," said the country's leading Baba Yaga.
For young spectators of "Morozko", New Year workshops and gifts were provided, prepared in partnership with the Movement of the First.
The performance is part of the "New Year Russia" project, which also includes the "Book of Fairytales" exposition, the "Winter Wizards" festival, workshops, and much more. The next performances will take place at the National Centre RUSSIA from 6 to 11 January. The final showing will be on 14 January. We invite you to attend the performance "Morozko". You can register on the website russia.ru in the "Events" section.
A recording of the performance is available on social media and on the official website of the National Centre RUSSIA.
