Tovstonogov: The Savior of Beauty

Georgy Tovstonogov — a director who created an entire era in theatrical art, both domestic and global. He, the son of a «enemy of the people», who was unashamed to indicate himself as a Russian nobleman in questionnaires and who categorically refused to join the party, managed to bring back to the Soviet stage fundamental concepts such as morality, conscience, and spirituality. The BDT of Tovstonogov became not only a cultural but also a spiritual phenomenon of its time, and for its creator — a kind of empire in which he reigned without limits. At the same time, until the end of his days, the «emperor» remained lonely, despite the deep admiration and love of his «subjects».
This book provides a detailed account of the complex life path of Georgy Tovstonogov, analyzes the unique phenomenon of the theater he created, and presents portraits of the actors who contributed to the glory of the Tovstonogov empire: Smoktunovsky, Strzhelchik, Kopylyan, Doronina, Basilashvili, Borisov, Luspekaev, Lavrov, Trofimov, Shcharko…