«OBLOM-off» by Mikhail Ugarov

Based on the novel by Ivan Goncharov

Artistic director of the performance – Mark Weil
Director – Boris Gafurov
Set design – Shukhrat Abdumalikov

The play «The Death of Ilya Ilich», by Mikhail Ugarov is a bummer for those who expect a classical staging on the novel by Ivan Goncharov «Oblomov». The performance by Boris Gafurov is even more so!

It seems that all characters of the novel by Goncharov are present, but the action runs out of time and space interlace with delicate and complicated relations of the characters. Oblomov in a new interpretation may be considered as a national hero, and «oblomovschina» held up to shame in literature text-books as a lost paradise.
The staging by Mikhail Ugarov is identified as the best play of the last decade. The subtle, touchy and funny play breaks usual conceptions about Oblomov, because it is difficult not to recognize ourselves in Ilya Ilich Oblomov…

Arkadiy: Wait, why are you confusing me? It is one thing wen a man is without a women, abstinence et cetera,  and the other is when he is with them. A man can’t…
Oblomov (hastily): I’m not a man!
Arkadiy: What do you mean?
Oblomov: I’m Oblomov.

Olga (laughing): Monsieur Oblomov! Frankly speaking, I’m confused… I don’t know what there is more of in you – naivety or craftiness? Or maybe…
Oblomov: …stupidity? Maybe. I’m lazy and fat. Not so smart, most probably. Oh, it’s such a pity that one of your legs isn’t shorter than the other! If it was so you could fall in love with me.

Music by: Valentine Silverstov, «Postludium # 3»; Vincenzo Bellini, «Norma» Opera; «Casta Diva» performed by Maria Calas; Yann Tiersen.

Duration of the performance is 2 hours (with intermission).
The premiere took place on 3 December 2005.

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