A Further Meeting With RITS
Russian newspaper 'Angliya'
22nd June 2007
16th of June 2007 was a special day for the Russian International Theatre School. That was a date of the opening of their show, “I Remember a Wonderful Moment” based on the works of Alexander Pushkin.
We reached the stage of the Greenwood Theatre on the day of the performance only few hours before the curtain. Work on arranging the lighting and sound equipment started immediately. When we started a run through, my students seemed a bit lost.
The stage was huge, much bigger then our rehearsing space, and flooded with the impressive stage lighting. My young actors prepared for the opening waltz sequence but for some reason turned their backs to the audience instead of facing it.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“But in our rehearsing room we always stood that way!” answered the slightly surprised cast members.
“But now the audience is going to sit on this side!”
“Ah-ha!” and all started laughing.
I, however, was panicking. There were plenty of moments like this…
So, the show started. The first act is on its way. After the first waltz 14 year old Peter proudly informs me, “Ludmila, we did everything right! We kept the centre line and the synchronicity!”
“Talented kids!” I exclaimed.
And, it really is true. We shouldn’t forget that it was their first ever proper performance with an audience. Children met their first audience only five months after starting at RITS. Occasionally I would ask myself the question, isn’t it too early for them to play before an audience? But after the opening night I clearly saw that it was the right time.
Every actor needs an audience, and for those who are just starting to learn about the art of acting, the audience is an independent and invaluable judge of their progress. That’s why playing for an audience is an important part of the curriculum for RITS. Our students need to have opportunities to play for audiences in order to be able to feel the auditorium, try out capabilities of their voice and generally be able to control their feelings and emotions.
Realising the seriousness of their task the children worked well together during the performance. They were fully focused and ready to help each other out. Even the four year olds attentively observed the work of older students. I thought that they somehow managed to grow up a little.
After the end of the performance the children received a well-deserved recognition from the audience in the form of applause, flowers and congratulations.
"They say that Theatre starts from the wardrobe, but for me my acquaintance with RITS started two months ago when I was invited to give a reading of my poetry there.
At the time the school was undergoing a period of the intense rehearsals for their upcoming show. Some scenes were still not quite ready and required additional work. I doubted whether the students would be able to learn the text, get familiar with the choreography and the directorial idea? But during the show I realised that within such a short space of time a truly amazing amount of work had been accomplished, not only when it came to acting but also in the production of the costumes.
The choice of music seemed perfect and it truly helped in the shaping of Pushkin’s characters. Even the performances of the youngest cast members were mesmeric in their sincerity and genuinely attempted to convey their feelings to the viewers. I am convinced that these very first stage experiences will remain with the young actors forever. Let all the mistakes and hiccups be turned into experience and become the foundation for future knowledge.
I would like to congratulate the students on their opening night! Let’s your steps towards the true art of theatre grow stronger every day!
With love and respect, "
Anna Garica, poet
“It is astonishing that young people managed to learn so much text, considering that such exercises are not normally present in the curriculum of ordinary schools in the UK.”
Natalia C, math’s teacher in English school.
On behalf of all the students of RITS and myself, I would like to express my gratitude to all who were with us this evening:
Thanks to the representatives of the Russian Embassy. Thank you for your questions and interest, for your warm wishes and positive feedback.
Thanks to the representatives of the Ukrainian and Belarus Embassies for their support.
Thanks to the Rector of St. George’s Bloomsbury Church Dr. Perry Butler.
Thanks to the administration of His Royal Majesty Prince Michael of Kent for their kind wishes to all the participants of this show.
Thanks to the firm, Transfer Opal, and the newspaper “Anglia” for their support with publicity.
The opening night has passed and we have a lot of future plans and projects. Those include productions and filming, festival participation and touring.
Our doors are always open for new students, for everyone who wants to study at RITS.
We are not saying “Farewell”. Instead, we shall say "See you soon!"
