My Theater

Nikolai Tsiskaridze — a bright, charismatic personality whose erudition, independence, and sharp judgments turn every statement into an event. The autobiography My Theater is based on a diary from 1985 to 2003. It is a lively tale, full of subtle... irony, humor, and sometimes sadness about oneself, about the time, and about ballet. Memories: childhood, family, Tbilisi and Moscow, studies at the choreographic school, the collapse of the USSR, Georgia's independence; an invitation to the Bolshoi Theatre, a challenging start to a career, tours around the world; recognition in the profession, yet constantly overcoming oneself, circumstances, and numerous obstacles; the joy of creativity despite the intrigues of detractors. The story of life unfolds on the pages of the book like a detective novel. Against this whirlwind of events, the image of the departing Great Theatre of the late 20th century emerges. Precise, often unexpected portraits of famous people with whom the author had the fortune or misfortune to meet come into view. Among the heroes and antiheroes of the book are: Pestov, Grigorovich and Petya, Semyonova and Ulanova, Maximova and Vasiliev, Princess Diana and Shevardnadze, Givenchy and Westwood, Baryshnikov and Volochkova, Shvydkoy, Filin, and many others. And judging who is who is the privilege of the reader. The book is aimed at a broad audience. A significant number of photographs are published for the first time.