The idea to acquaint myself with Evgenyi’s art has been with me for some time now. We’ve also been discussing which show would best serve this purpose. Genya had a ready answer for that – Cole Porter’s Broadway musical, “Kiss me, Kate” – a wonderful play full of the American 50’s spirit. At the scene, a “play within a play” – a musical theatre troupe’s play based on William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the shrew”.

I spoke to the theatre’s emloyees before the show. The nice ticket ladies promised me a great experience. “You need to hear him sing! Evgenyi has a wonderful voice. And when he sings romance…” – I just couldn’t wait for the show to start.

Evgenyi plays the leading role, beginning as a real 50’s American! He’s Fred Graham, producer, director and actor. But soon he changes clothes to become a XVI century Italian. And here we go…

"Kiss Me , Kate!" show.

Evgenyi, did you get slapped in the face for real during the show?

Not precisely, no. Those are special theatrical slaps, we practiced them beforehand. But it seemed a bit unrealistic at the time, so I’ve asked my partners – accomplished Ukrainian actresses - Irina Bespalov-Primak and Tamara Hodakovą (in the role of Kate) to make it look real; I was supposed to dodge the blows and imitate pain. But it didn’t work every time.

"Kiss Me , Kate!" show

How did you end up in theatre?

Well, first there was a train ride … (laughs). When I was in college, we had a director’s show – real directors came to our school to pick actors for their troupes. I was invited to a couple theatres – Odessa, Nicolaev, White Church, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia. But I chose Kiev. So I’ve made some enquiries and found the place I wanted to be the most – the National Ukraine’s Operetta.

"Kiss Me , Kate!" show

To be hired in a theatre you first need to wow the panel with your singing, verse or prose. One of the tests is improvisation – I was supposed to ask a lady to dance with me and confess my love to her. So we danced, an than I was supposed to recite a verse from “Romeo and Juliet”, but … I forgot the words! So I’m on my knees, I make a romantic, poignant pause, everybody’s looking at me … and I can’t remember a word! So I just breathlessly say “I love you”. Everyone laughed.

I was asked to surprise the panel somehow. So I told them about my titles, and said I could also perform a summersault. I started to undress, and they told me I didn’t have to do it now, but I did it anyway, and I was in.

What roles are the easiest for you?

I don’t really want to be type-cast, I try to diversify.

Do you have any special skills that make your job easier?

I have none, each part requires and individual approach, as if you were playing for the first time ever.

„The mask” show

What do you like better – singing or dancing?

Both (laughs). The thing I like the most is playing.

At first there are the traditional “sitdowns” at a table – the first reading of the script, discussion, picking the parts, director’s notes. Then the first mini-rehearsals take place. There are separate singing classes, where I learn my lines, and also dancing classes. If I need to sing and dance at the same time, I take singing classes first, then dancing. After the first-night show we often rehearse singing only, and take some ballet classes. Directors are always present at rehearsals – they make adjustments.

Are theatre and armwrestling correlated?

In my life they are two separate, but beloved, activities.

P.S. Special thanks to the Kiev National Academic Operetta Theatre’s directors for the photo and video opportunities allowed to me.

Anastazja Kisilieva