Based on the short story by Anton Chekhov, THE BLACK MONK tells the tragic tale of philosophy student Andrey Vasil'ich Kovrin. On the verge of a nervous breakdown, Kovrin decides to visit his childhood friend Tanya Pesotsky at the estate of her father. As he and Tanya develop a relationship and eventually marry, a black monk of legend begins appearing to Kovrin in visions. Though these hallucinations at first imbue the young man with joy and energy, they eventually lead to his ruin.

Kama Ginkas’ dramatization of Chekhov’s story for The Moscow Young Generation Theater has become a theatre sensation. The show has won the Grand Prix and the Critics’ Prize for Best Production at the Baltic House international theater festival in St. Petersburg.

Running time 1h45min (approx). Presented in Russian with English subtitles.

CAST

Andrey Kovrin: Sergei Makovetskii
Black Monk: Igor Yasulovich
Tanya Pesotskaya: Julia Svezhakova
Yegor Pesotsky: Valery Barinov

CREW

Director: Kama Ginkas
Design: Sergey Barkhin
Assistant Director: Nikolai Aksenov
Lighting Technician: M. Biryukov
Sound: A. Radugin

There will be a 15 minute interval during which guests will be offered soft drinks, tea and coffee (included in the ticket price).

The screening will be followed by a short Q&A with Prof. Michael Early.