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Theatre

Smile Upon Us, Lord

It’s not often that British audiences have the chance to see one of Russia’s greatest theatre companies on a UK stage, so a visit by the Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre is not to be missed.

February 1, 2018 10:30
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All this month, the company will be performing Smile Upon Us, Lord, in a short season at the Barbican Theatre in London. The story is based on two novels by Lithuanian-born writer Grigory Kanovich. It features Efraim, an elderly stonecutter, who travels from his shtetl to Vilnius after he learns his son is awaiting trial for the attempted assassination of the governor-general there. He is accompanied by two friends, and faces a number of setbacks on his dangerous pilgrimage.

It is a tale with which JC readers will feel a strong connection. With a cast of more than 40 people, the drama promises to be a visual treat, just like the company’s critically acclaimed sell-out performances of Eugene Onegin, which were seen here in 2015.

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Director Rimas Tuminas says he is looking forward to coming here for the production: “We are always glad to come to London, and this time we chose a Jewish/European play, Smile Upon Us, Lord. I believe that London theatregoers will empathise with the story we are going to reveal.