"The Suitcase" is back from Europe: Gailit`s play to be performed at  Sundukyan Theatre

ArmInfo.  Alexey Gailit's Armenian production of "Suitcase" (based on Sergei Dovlatov's stories) is returning home after touring European cities. On November 2, Yerevan audiences will once again experience this touching story at the G. Sundukyan Academic Theater, where Dovlatov's character's  suitcase contains not just old things, but an entire life, folded in  the folds of fabric and memory.

Project producer Sergei Tselikov recalls that "Suitcase" was created  without a budget, but with great love- in collaboration with local  and Russian actors. "We bought props at a flea market, made  everything ourselves," he told ArmInfo a year earlier.

Now this small production has grown into a full-fledged project,  resonating with people in every city it has visited. And next year,  Tselikov's theatrical creation is preparing for a tour of the United  States.

Before meeting with Yerevan audiences, the producer shared with an  ArmInfo correspondent his thoughts on how and why "Suitcase" has  changed, how it's received in other cities, and why it becomes so  relatable to those who have traveled at least once.

"Suitcase": From Yerevan to Yerevan

"The play was created a year ago, but time passes-the world changes,  we change. And any play is a living organism that reacts to  everything," Tselikov began. According to him, over the more than 20  performances the play has had in various European cities, certain  emphases have undoubtedly shifted, and in most cases, this has  benefited the creative concept. The actors employ various theatrical  inventions, sometimes born from improvisation right on stage, which  evoke emotion and delight in the audience, and therefore remain in  the play. Or, conversely, certain techniques may not work well and,  consequently, are gradually phased out. "It's such a lively, natural  process. Those who attended the premiere last year were certainly  fortunate to be the first to see the play. But those who come now  will see a more cohesive production. Therefore, even those who have  already seen it will be very interested in seeing it again. That is,  "Chemondan," like a good film, is interesting for a repeat viewing.  Because the first time, you simply follow the plot as an ordinary  viewer, but the second time, you begin to notice small details, you  follow the secondary characters. While the narrator tells his story,  the other actors develop their own plot lines. This is very  interesting to watch. Because even though these secondary characters  and most of the audience don't even notice them, the actors work on  these characters, too, and find some color for them.

In short, the play has changed, without a doubt, for the better. And  we are looking forward to seeing everyone - both those who weren't  there and those who were. I am sure "Everyone will have a great  time," the producer shared.

Thus, the stars aligned

It's noteworthy that "Suitcase" has had two premieres in Yerevan. The  original chamber version, for which materials were purchased at a  flea market, premiered in February 2023. The premiere featured Aram  Gyurjyan (an Armenian actor of the original genre) and Russian  expatriate actors Mikhail Glekel, Artem Iosilevich, and Ivan  Stepanov. But in October 2024, the play premiered in a revised  version, with a completely different budget. The entire set design  was completely reimagined, the cast, musical accompaniment, and so  on. Now it's a full-fledged, large-scale production. "We have 10  suitcases filled with just the props and costumes for the play. The  renowned Georgian set designer, Nina Kobiashvili, who has designed  production designs for many films and shows, including  internationally," Tselikov said.

The production currently features renowned Russian actors: Alexey  Kortnev, Alexey Agranovich, Semyon Treskunov, and the talented  pianist Anna Tsagarelli.

Negotiations with these renowned actors lasted several months. Alexey  Agranovich even traveled to Yerevan to meet with the director, get to  know each other, and go over the material. He lived there for several  days. Afterward, meetings were held via Zoom for several hours a day,  several days a week. "We reviewed the text and worked on the  characters. And 10 days before the performance, everyone gathered in  Armenia, and here, in fact, the final composition was put together,"  the producer recalls. He also touched on the participation of Aram  Gyurjyan, whose songs were featured in the play, noting that he fit  in well with the project. All the actors, even those with extensive  theater experience, spoke highly of him. "And it's the absolute  truth-Aram is a wonderful actor," Tselikov added.

"The Suitcase" Tours Europe

Tselikov and his "Suitcase" have toured almost all of Europe-Paris,  Belgrade, Lisbon, Limassol, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Valencia, Helsinki,  Tallinn, Riga, and elsewhere.

He recounted that, with rare exceptions, they were warmly welcomed in  every city and seen off on their feet, with standing ovations and  applause, not allowing the actors to leave the stage.

Only during the tour to Valencia did the production fail to receive  the attention it deserved, due to reasons beyond the control of the  cast-due to torrential rain. "While rain is extremely rare in  Valencia, it was pouring down that day," the producer recalls.

Theaters in cities like Valencia lack large foyers, a feature common  in theaters and concert halls in Soviet countries. Upon entering the  building, figuratively speaking, you immediately enter the  auditorium.  Considering the play hadn't been performed in a long  time, opening the door early and letting the audience in was  impossible. The dress rehearsal was underway, and the equipment and  other equipment had just been delivered. Consequently, the audience  was dissatisfied, as they'd been waiting for the play to begin in the  pouring rain. In fact, this was the only time an audience member  didn't get up, leaving almost as soon as the lights came up. "They  didn't even applaud much. Ninety-eight percent of the time, we get a  standing ovation because we put on a really good show, no matter  what," the producer admitted.

Emigration on Stage and Behind the Scenes

Responding to ArmInfo's question about the extent to which his  decision to produce a play about emigration is connected to his own  fate and the fate of Russians today, Tselikov admitted that he  couldn't ignore such a relevant topic.

"Every era has its problems, its sore points, and they need to be  addressed. But now, I think, when the world is divided, on the eve of  what many expect to be some kind of impending catastrophe, we need to  raise important issues. Our play probably won't change the government  in the country, but at the very least, it will help people, in some  sense, stand on their own two feet more firmly. I sincerely believe  this," he shared.

Before taking on this project, Tselikov explained, he held lengthy  discussions with the director and actors, which led to a certain  forumula, which he believes many viewers can nonverbally perceive.  "When you lose your homeland, it's undoubtedly a great trauma. But  even if you left in your underwear, you always take with you the most  precious thing you have-your experience, which makes you unique. And  no matter how life turns out, no matter where you're forced to go,  your experience makes you who you are, and no one can take it away  from you. No politician can take away your memories or your past  life. That's what our play is about, and people feel it. And we  really hit a sensitive spot," Tselikov shared.

Dovlatov vs. Tselikov

When asked how close Dovlatov was to Sergei Tselikov, he frankly  admitted that, by and large, the only thing they had in common was  the theme of emigration. Noting that, unlike Dovlatov, he doesn't  abuse alcohol, Tselikov said he also has a less cynical view of the  world. However, a little later, with a broad smile, he admitted that  this quality has nevertheless matured within him over the years.   Future Plans

The producer said he has many plans for next year. Lifting the  curtain slightly, he shared that he is preparing to release two more  performances. Considering the ongoing search for actors, a set  designer, and a director, he declined to elaborate further on his  upcoming projects. "We'll most likely stage them in Armenia and then  tour," Tselikov said. He also recalled that, in addition to "The  Suitcase," he had a hand in two other remarkable productions in  Armenia: "Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead" starring Liya  Akhedzhakova (directed by Boris Pavlovich, based on Olga Tokarczuk's  novel - ed.) and "Heart of a Dog" (directed by Konstantin Kamensky,  based on Mikhail Bulgakov's story - ed.). All three productions have  successfully toured to sold-out houses, and in Europe, they have been  attended by renowned artists, including Chulpan Khamatova, Alla  Pugacheva, and Maksim Galkin.

"But 'The Suitcase' differs from the other two productions in that it  is purely my project; I am the sole producer," Tselikov emphasized,  noting that he is a co-producer on Pavlovich's production, while  Kamensky serves as technical producer.

To sum up the conversation, we can say that "Suitcase" is returning  home, where it was assembled, to remind us who we truly are and what  we take with us when we leave our homes. In short, "Suitcase" is  returning to Yerevan to tell the stories we carry within us, wherever  we are.