The Moscow State Variety Theater hosted the premiere of the ballet-defile “Russian Ragtime” about the fashion and life of the Russian beau monde of the 20th century. The author of the idea, as well as the director and choreographer of the show, was Honored Artist of Russia Egor Druzhinin. The Hungarian dancer Balazs Baranyai also worked on the choreography, and the project was produced by Leonid Roberman.

“Russian Ragtime,” as conceived by Druzhinin, is a reflection on what society would be like if there were no revolution and the First World War. People would be divided into classes, fashion would match the 1920-1930s, and ragtime would be a popular musical genre.

According to the plot, a fashion show of a famous and talented fashion designer takes place in the capital, during which a special atmosphere reigns in the auditorium and behind the scenes: love affairs, jealousy, disputes, envy and even death. Visitors to the Variety Theater will see all this on stage for an hour and a half.

The show features such artists as Brian Opoku, Anna Tikhomirova, Kristina Kretova, German Borsai, Evgeny Zhukov, Elena Solomyanko, Victoria and Anastasia Mikhailets, German Romazanov, Veronika Itskovich, Arsen Agamalyan, Alexander Smolyaninov, Alexandra Goroshko and Georgi Smilevski Jr.

If you don’t read about the plot and the idea of ​​the play in advance, you won’t be able to fully understand it while watching. Of course, individual moments and scenes are read, but the overall story, time and location of the characters remain unclear. However, this does not affect the impression of the performance in any way. Literally from the very beginning of the show, the viewer is drawn into the creative world invented by the talented Russian choreographer.

Despite the fact that the project is positioned as a ballet, the public sees combinations of different dance genres - modern, such as contemporary, ballroom, hip-hop and classical ballet. Moreover, the artists perform in several dance styles. For example, the leading soloist of the Bolshoi Theater Kristina Kretova shows both ballet steps and modern movements.

All choreographed numbers are thought out to the smallest detail and are arranged with high quality music. The actors on stage do not just dance, but with every movement, even a fleeting one, they convey a certain thought, emotion, and thereby guide the viewer along the storyline. This is very impressive and sometimes even gives me goosebumps.

One of the particularly memorable moments is the dance of a woman who learned of the death of her husband. On the stage, the viewer sees a medical iron table on which the body of the deceased lies, and the widow’s movements convey several emotions at once - sadness of loss, love and even anger at the loved one who left her. In the dance, she wriggles around him, hugs him, tries to bring him to his senses, but all in vain.

And the moment with the maid’s dance will probably give you joy, delight, admiration and make you want to go out and move too. Alexandra Goroshko amazes with her artistry and dancing abilities. She plays a maid who always has to keep her face in high society, but when she finds herself alone, she releases her inner energy and has fun. Also causing a smile are two mischievous twins who constantly swear, play pranks and annoy their governess.

  • Artists Victoria and Anastasia Mikhailets in a scene from the ballet-defile “Russian Ragtime”

  • RIA News

  • © Ramil Sitdikov

The show and dance would not be complete without the amazing music of Oscar, Grammy and Tony Award winners Marvin Hamlisch, Randall Newman, Harry Connick, Benny Goodman and Wynton Marsalis. Fans of American jazz motifs will definitely appreciate the choice of repertoire.

The ballet defile can truly be considered unique not only because of the mixture of different dance genres and the original idea, but also because the artists perform on stage for the first time in costumes from the Russian designer Alena Akhmadullina. Especially for the production, the fashion designer created a collection of outfits from which it is impossible to take your eyes off - you want to look at every costume.

The performers on stage can be seen in beautiful dresses with embroidery and puffed sleeves, a snow-white ball gown with a red flower on the chest, and even a shirt and trousers.

Men's images also look stylish, befitting the time and status of the heroes: elegant suits in cream and brown colors, suspenders, hats, wide trousers, eight-piece caps.

There are not many original dance shows in the country, but this area of ​​theatrical art is clearly developing, which is good news. This ballet-defile will definitely achieve success and fame, since everything in it is beautiful and organic. This is a show that you'll want to watch again when it's over. It is made with love for dance, fashion and music - stylish, high quality, exciting and emotional.