Musical "The Ball of Vampires": reviews, summary, actors

The "Vampire Ball" is a popular musical based on the film of the filmmaker Roman Polanski. Invented in the early nineties, the play continues to live and delight the viewer to this day. What is the secret of the success of the production, how was the story of the formation of the play, who was involved in its creation - about this in our article.

News of the theatrical season

In August 2016, all gourmets of theatrical art were pleased with the news that a musical "The Vampire Ball" was returning to the scene of the St. Petersburg musical comedy theater. Tickets from the theater cash dispensers in the first days of sales. And all this because the performance has already earned the viewer's love - during three seasons the production with sold-out went on the stage of the theater. In July 2014 the last performance was played. The management of the theater promised all lovers of the musical that it was not farewell, but only a small parting. And here again a sensation!

Fans of the musical performance in the new season had to meet with the world of magic and loved characters for a month and a half. The opening of the new theatrical season was planned in the cultural capital of Russia on August 22, 2016. The final musical in St. Petersburg was played on October 2, 2016. But the play did not end its existence. He expands the territory of his march across the country. Since October 29, 2016 "The Vampire Ball" (musical) - in Moscow!

I must say that the musical production has undergone some changes: before the new season, the team of directors conducted selection of actors - future performers of the main acting characters, and new faces appeared in the company's troupe.

On the stage, along with already well-known artists-stars of the genre Ivan Ozhogin, Elena Gazaeva, Alexander Sukhanov came out young vocal performers. Fedor Osipov, Elizaveta Belousova (in the photo) - these are the new representatives of the acting environment, involved in the production of "The Ball of Vampires". The music that plays in the play belongs to Jim Steinman. Musical director of the musical remained the same. This is the well-known permanent Alexei Nefedov.

The premiere of the play in Russia took place in September 2011. Before that, the musical won the hearts of the European audience. In general, it all started with the idea of Cornelius Baltus to bring to life the story told in 1967 in the film of the same name directed by Roman Polanski.

Roman Polanski. Who is he?

The film created by Roman Polanski ("Vampire Ball"), today we can safely be called a cult, but the recognition of the picture did not happen immediately. There was a time when she was considered one of the unsuccessful works of the film director.

Roman Polanski is a famous cinematographer who, with Jewish roots, spent most of his childhood in Poland, and worked primarily in the UK, France and the United States of America. The results of his many years of work were recognized by the world's film critics and awarded such prestigious awards as the Cannes Golden Palm, the Golden Bear in Berlin. "Golden Lion" of the Venice Festival, as well as "Oscar" and "Golden Globe" - these awards also have in his money box Roman Polanski.

"Vampire Ball" - the first color work of the master, the idea of which was born in a ski resort and was conceived as a fairy tale about vampires. Critics often notice the similarity of the picture with the work of the directors of the studio Hammer or the tapes of Alexander Ptushko, Roger Corman. Roman Polanski does not deny these statements and admits that he tried to create something similar in the "Vampire Ball", only with his vision of what is happening, in a special format - like a sketch of a fairy tale story.

Polanski in the picture adhered to the principle that even a utopia or absolutely not a real story should consist of small details that carry information, color, local culture.

The plot of "The Ball of Vampires"

"The Vampire Ball" -film, as well as the "Vampire Ball" -musical, the brief content of which is practically no different, narrates about the following. Professor of the University of Konigsberg, Abronsy and his assistant student Alfred come to Transylvania in search of a mythical castle in which, according to rumors and legends, the vampire Count Von Krolok lives with her son Herbert. On the road, travelers get acquainted with the family of Yoni Chagall, whose beautiful daughter, Sarah, immediately falls in love with Alfred. On all questions from the local population about vampires, travelers do not get any clear answers, but they notice that people are hiding something and are frightened.

Soon, the daughter of Chagall Sarah disappears without a trace, in search of which the professor and the assistant go. Travelers do not have to wander for long in the forest, before their eyes a magnificent castle appears. They get acquainted with the clever and highly educated master of the palace Von Krolok, who invites them to stay for a while in the castle. At night, men fall into the vampire ball, find Sarah and try to escape from the feast of evil spirits. The professor and his assistant still do not know that Sarah is doomed - she became a vampire and, taking her out of the castle, they only help the evil spread around the world.

In no way confuses the viewers of the content of the picture "The Ball of Vampires". The reviews of those who watched show only that the tape has found a response in the hearts of the viewer. People perceive the film as something fairy, kind, though with elements of evil forces.

Interesting Facts

According to the idea of Roman Polanski shooting pictures were to be held in Switzerland. Once in the country once, the director noticed a very beautiful castle there. However, the owners of the fortress did not manage to come to an agreement - they did not allow them to work in their possessions. Roman Polanski had to change his plans urgently. It was decided to go to Italy and look for suitable natural landscapes there. By the way, the pavilion shootings were conducted in the UK (in London).

Work on the picture is generally associated with a lot of interesting moments, funny and unusual situations. For example, in order to recreate the necessary atmosphere of the ball with vampires, it took a huge number of coffins. Their production was entrusted to Italian artisans, because it was in Italy that the pictures were taken. The work on the film threatened to disrupt the local tourist business, as stacks of coffins frightened arriving tourists, who thought that there was a dangerous epidemic in the area that takes the lives of people. Owners of local restaurants had to try to comfort tourists - only special signs and messages explaining what was happening, were able to stabilize the situation.

In the US, a fairly modified picture of the "Vampire Ball" appeared in the rental. The duration of the tape was shortened, the name was changed, and these innovations were not coordinated with Roman Polanski, who subsequently did not recognize this version as his film (an explanation of these facts below).

An additional color of the picture was created thanks to the original screen saver film company "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer", in which the lion turned into a vampire.

The reaction of the viewer

The talented artists on the set were united by the picture "The Ball of Vampires". The actors who performed the main roles in the film were already known to the world. Professor Abronzius, for example, played Jack McGouran, the image of Alfred's helper in the movie was created by Roman Polanski himself, Ferdi Main appeared in the guise of Count Von Krolock, beautiful Sarah Shagal was played by Sharon Tate, an actress who later became the wife of the film director. By the way, the period of shooting the film for Polanski was the happiest and most memorable in his life.

Until the early 90's, the picture of the director was not considered successful. Polanski's idea of removing a serious and fascinating tale of vampires, filled with details and elements of culture, has failed. The film was perceived as a kind of farce. In the American box office he was shown under the title "Fearless vampire killers". Unceremonious interference was subjected to the tape "The Ball of Vampires". The actors did not speak with their own voices - their dialogues were re-duplicated; From the timing, various scenes with a total duration of about 20 minutes were cut out. The public took the picture as a "parody" of a special genre of cinema - the story of vampires. For a long time this was perceived by the society "Ball of vampires". However, the time has come, and everything has changed.

In the nineties, based on the film, the musical "Dance of Vampires" was created, which successfully rolled on the theatrical scenes of Europe. From this moment on Polanski's tape looked in a new fashion. She played in the mind of the viewer in other colors.

The idea to make a musical

Once a friend of Roman Polanski producer Andrew Brownsberg suggested that the director put on a musical based on his film. To implement the idea in life it was required to do a great job - completely redraw the "Vampire Ball". The text was to be turned into a special drama. It was necessary to write poetry, to come up with scenes that would convey the atmosphere of the film. We needed unusual music, characteristic, creating a mood. The composers faced the task of composing arias and musical parts for many characters.

To work on the musical attracted the masters of their case - the composer Jimma Steinman and Michael Kunze - the librettist. Thanks to their abilities, the main characters of the play seemed to come to life. The effect of their music is such that the viewer from the first notes gets to the heroes of the production, feels the dangerous and so attractive Earl Von Krolock, empathizes with the beautiful Sara, who is bored with a boring life and who wants to plunge into the abyss of temptation and change something in fate.

The musical accompaniment of the theatrical production combined classic and rock, and this explosive mixture can not but pinch the viewer. Not surprisingly, the musical became popular in no time. Theatrical gourmets around the world appreciated the work of a huge team of professionals. Work on the "Vampire Ball" was conducted for four years, resulting in more than 200 unique wigs, costumes, makeup. The musical turned out to be very intense and impetuous - during the three-hour performance the scenery on the stage changes 75 times. It is also interesting that vampire jaws were made for forty artists of the performance using special technology.

What did the theater viewer see?

In 1997, the premiere of the musical "The Ball of Vampires" was held. The length of the performance was three hours, and at first the show's organizers were worried, as if the audience was not bored in the hall of the "Raymund" theater in Austria. However, the team's concerns were not confirmed. The performance was so exciting that the audience enthusiastically demanded that artists enter the stage again and again.

Since then, the performance has surfaced the best theatrical scenes in the world. The Internet has created a huge number of fan clubs, in which fans share information, exchange thoughts and impressions of watching a musical, look for fellow travelers to travel to see all possible versions of the show in different parts of the world.

Of course, like any work, the musical has fans and opponents. Someone is negative about the theme of vampires, which affects the performance. However, the overwhelming majority of spectators are delighted with the action taking place in the musical production of The Ball of Vampires. The feedback from numerous Internet users is proof of this. A lot of those who looked at the production 15-20 times and did not lose interest in it. Only thanks to the audience's love of the play continues to live.

The first performer of the role of Count Von Krolock - Steve Barton - is still popular and loved by the spectator. In Germany, the charming villain is played by Kevin Tarte and Yann Ammann, in Hungary by Geza Edhazi, in Austria by Drew Sarich.

In 2009, the performance underwent some changes, and the modern version of the production is known as the Vienna. What has changed? It is believed that the innovations made the performance even more vivid: the Hungarian artist Kentaur created gothic sets, costumes of artists, make-up.

But not only that's why the "Vampire Ball" played with magic colors. The music has changed too. Michael Reed wrote fresh arrangements to the musical material, world-renowned choreographer Dennis Callahan gave grace to the movements and perfected the dance numbers.

Musical version for Russia

In 2011, the Russian premiere of the performance "The Ball of Vampires" was held. The St. Petersburg Musical Comedy Theater invited everyone to plunge into the atmosphere of magic and appreciate the plot of the musical interpretation based on the content of Roman Polanski's feature film The Vampire Ball. The main stage in the play is the battle of the forces of good and evil at a ritual ball. In this battle, two scientists converge against the vampire pack - they fight for life and for love.

The Vienna version of the performance was specially adapted for the Russian audience - the lyrics and the libretto were translated into the native language, and through the castings they recruited a team of performers of the main characters of the musical.

In total, within three years the actors played about 280 performances, more than 220 thousand people witnessed the action, which the "Vampire Ball" tells. Reviews of the audience - enthusiastic and laudatory - confirm the success of the musical. However, the production won not only the love of the viewer, but also the recognition of critics. The overall evaluation of the performance was marked by high theater awards: "Golden Mask", "Golden Soffit", as well as various prizes, for example, the Prize of the Government of St. Petersburg, as well as the "Musical Heart of the Theater" prize.

The first stage of the procession of the performance "The Ball of Vampires" (St. Petersburg Theater of Musical Comedy) in Russia ended on July 31, 2014.

That evening all the actors involved in the play came out on stage: three vocalists appeared before the eyes of the audience. In the final of the musical were presented all the participants and creators of the production, including the orchestra, backing vocalists, costumers, make-up artists, illuminators, choreographer.

But this was not the end of the story. By the numerous requests of spectators in the season 2016-2017. The performance returned to the stage of the Musical Comedy Theater in St. Petersburg.

Cast

I must say that the success of the musical "The Vampire Ball" in the viewer is largely due to the talent of the actors involved in the production. It's not for nothing that pretenders-vocalists, wishing to participate in the performance, before getting into the troupe are severely selected. The criteria by which participants are compared are very diverse. And this is not only vocal data. Everything is important: the ability to move, the ability to stand out from the crowd, and also work in a team, work for results.

The actors who participated in the play not only received colossal experience in their profession, but also largely predetermined their future destiny. Today they are popular and quite in demand.

Ivan Ozhogin - Count Von Krolok - comes from Ulyanovsk. He has a huge experience of participating in such musical performances. The career of the actor began in 2002, immediately after the end of GITIS. The track record of Ozhogin is full of roles in the musicals "Nord-Ost", "Chicago", "Phantom of the Opera", "Beauty and the Beast". For three years - from 2011 to 2014 - he played the main role in the play "The Vampire Ball" (the theater of the musical comedy of St. Petersburg).

Today the actor works not only in Russia, but also abroad: gives solo concerts; In collaboration with symphonic orchestras. In addition, Ivan Ozhogin is the soloist of the Cossack Choir, led by Peter Khudyakov, as well as the soloist of the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery.

The second wave of the play "The Vampire Ball" in Russia enlarged the theater troupe with new names. After a tough selection for the role of the venerable Count Von Krolock in 2016, Fedor Osipov was confirmed.

The actor comes from Voronezh. There he received a musical education in the vocal class and from 2005 to 2011 he worked as a soloist in the State Opera and Ballet Theater of Voronezh.

In December 2011 he was invited to the theater of the Musical Comedy of the city of St. Petersburg, where he made his debut as Andrei Tumansky in the operetta "Kholopka".

Then there was work in the performances "Merry Widow", "Count Luxembourg", "Babi Riot", "Bat", etc. Today he is known as the performer of the main role in the play "Ball of Vampires".

Main characters

In the first part of the production "The Ball of Vampires", the role of the beautiful Sarah was performed by actress Elena Gazayeva. The actress comes from Vladikavkaz. In 2006, she received an acting education at the North Ossetian State University. Producers from Moscow noticed it after the girl became a laureate of several musical competitions, and invited the artiste to the capital to participate in musicals "Bremen musicians", "Lukomorye", "Master and Margarita".

For participation in the play "The Vampire Ball" in the role of Sarah in the theater of the Musical Comedy of St. Petersburg, Gazaev was nominated for the "Golden Mask" and "Musical Heart of the Theater" awards. In July 2014, Elena Gazayeva was awarded the title of Honored Artist of North Ossetia. Today she works in the musical "Jekyll & Hyde".

In 2016, after numerous castings, actress Elizaveta Belousova was confirmed for the role of Sarah in the musical "The Ball of Vampires". Comments on the work of the young actress in the play are positive.

A girl was born in Voronezh, but she works at the Music and Drama Theater at the Petersburg Concert. In addition to participating in the play "Ball of Vampires", the actress is engaged in the musical "Jekyll & Hyde".

The role of the bizarre professor in the musical is played by the Honored Actor of Russia Andrei Matveev (pictured); The image of the enamored Alfred was created with the participation of Igor Krol; Father of Sarah - Chagall - plays Oleg Krasovitsky.

The secret of the success of the play, the audience's love does not let go for so many years, is probably covered in stunning music, fascinating scenery and a huge talent of people involved in it.