Natalya Kursevich

The Thief of Bagdad is as bright as an Eastern robe and as sweet as tahini halva. It soars in dance, immerses itself in music, and dies from laughter. At the time, when work on the play began, no one could have guessed that this charming, captivating trifle, based on a famous Eastern story, would play a significant role in the life of the theatre and its actors.

A provincial pharmacist moves to the capital, leaving behind her husband and child. But the big city isn’t eager to grant her success and fame. Instead, it takes advantage of her kindness and sincerity — and, like many before her, it will eventually cast her aside...

At the age of 43, landowner Kirsanov is visited by his son Arkady, a recent university graduate, accompanied by the self-assured young doctor, Yevgeny Bazarov. Kirsanov's older brother, Pavel Petrovich, and Bazarov quickly develop mutual dislike. A few days later, Arkady introduces Bazarov to the young, beautiful, and wealthy widow Odintsova, who immediately captures Bazarov's interest.

Stepan Astashonok, a graduate of the orphanage, came to the factory and seemed to have found his business. He soon got married, but he lived few happy days. When the war began, the Germans stole his wife and children to Germany. Having reached Berlin, the hero did not lose hope of finding them. Stepan learned about the death of his daughter, son and wife in the last days of the war. But the soldier continued to fight and tried to be human.…

On Tanker's Day, Ivan Panasyuk, a former tanker and trackman, unexpectedly left for the city to visit his front-line comrade, Kolya Kravchenko, on his wife's day. For the first time since the war, Ivan hadn't received a congratulatory message from his friend on their shared holiday, and he became worried. He couldn't find Kolya—his old house had been demolished. Ivan spent the entire day in the city, witnessed the celebratory fireworks, and accidentally met an elderly colonel, with whom, it turned out, he had fought together in the battles for the liberation of a small Hungarian town.…