"THE MARRIAGE"
A play by Valery Fokin based on the comedy by Nikolai Gogol

The stage life of Gogol's classic comedy "The Marriage" began on the Alexandrinsky stage more than 180 years ago, in 1842. The premiere of the production by the artistic director of the Alexandrinsky Theatre, Valery Fokin, based on the eponymous comedy by N.V. Gogol, took place in January 2008, on the eve of the 200th anniversary of the classic Russian literature figure Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol. At the end of the season, the play won the most prestigious professional award of the Russian Federation — the Russian National Theatre Award "Golden Mask" in two categories: "Best Director's Work" and "Best Designer's Work." Thanks in large part to the brilliant ensemble of actors, this production remains one of the most beloved by audiences in the Alexandrinsky Theatre's repertoire, both at home and on tour.

Audiences in Baku will see actors such as Vladimir Koshevoy (Podkolesin), Vasilisa Alexeeva (Agafya Tikhonovna, the bride), Ivan Efremov (Kochkaryov, Podkolesin's friend), Honored Artist of Russia Maria Kuznetsova (Fekla Ivanovna, the matchmaker), Honored Artist of Russia Svetlana Sheichenko (Arina Panteleymonovna, the aunt), and others in the play "The Marriage." The performance duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes, with one intermission. Suitable for ages 12 and up.

In this play, Valery Fokin reveals the sharp conflict of a hero striving to preserve his personal world against a reality that takes on an absurd, almost farcical appearance. This reality provokes people to perform the most incredible tricks and participate in absurd, seemingly devilish attractions. One such attraction is the story of six suitors vying for the hand of the merchant's daughter, Agafya Tikhonovna Kuperdyagina, who cannot find a suitor with all the qualities of a true man even in her dreams and fantasies.

The Alexandrinsky Theatre is the oldest national theatre in Russia, tracing its history back to the first Russian state professional drama troupe founded in St. Petersburg by the decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna on August 30, 1756. The Alexandrinsky Theatre has the status of a National Treasure.

Valery Fokin is a People's Artist of Russia, a laureate of four State Prizes of Russia, and an Honored Art Worker of Poland. He is the Chairman of the Council of the Association of National Theatres of Russia. Valery Fokin's creative biography now includes 100 plays. His productions have been staged on leading stages in Russia, the USA, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, France, and Italy.