Russian theater director Vladimir Vorobyov: biography, creativity, personal life

Famous Russian theater director Vladimir Vorobyov was born in Leningrad in 1937. Over 15 years he staged performances in the Leningrad Theater of Musical Comedy, considered the founder of the genre of the Russian musical. In addition, he made films, wrote scripts and conducted teaching activities. He has the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR, received in 1978.

Years of study

At first glance, the first profession of Vladimir Vorobyov has absolutely nothing to do with his work. In 1960, he finished his studies at the Leningrad Shipbuilding Institute and spent some time in distribution working in his specialty. Three years later Vorobiev entered the director's course at the Leningrad Institute of Theater, Music and Cinematography. However, the love of the sea and the ships remained forever in his heart. This is proved by the famous film "Treasure Island", which the master shot in 1982. Adventure films performed by talented artists immediately fell in love with the Soviet audience, and even after many years of it still continue to look.

In the theatrical institute the teacher of the course of Vladimir Vorobyov was the famous Georgy Tovstonogov - the director of the Bolshoi Drama Theater in Leningrad. He brought up a whole generation of talented directors, paying great attention to the Stanislavsky system. Vorobiev was considered one of the most gifted students of the Institute. At the same time, he was distinguished by a complex character, which manifested itself later in the work. So, he could simply not go on stage, if the role or setting did not meet his requirements.

Vladimir Vorobyov's classmates were famous directors Efim Padve and Boris Gersht, in the parallel group studied Kama Ginkas and Henrietta Yanovskaya. Students noted the high performance of Vorobyov, said that he could rehearse from morning to night, without knowing fatigue. Interesting director's findings, entertainment and originality - all this masterfully embodied in his work, Vladimir Vorobyov. His biography is full of events in which entanglements of ships with enthroned adventure and adventure intertwined, but at the same time there was also the ability to handle the team, as Tovstonogov taught.

Working period at the Leningrad Lenin Komsomol Theater

In 1968, Vladimir Vorobiev graduated from the institute and came to work at the State Lenin Komsomol Theater in Leningrad, now known as the "Baltic House". From 1969 to 1971 he worked here as an art director. During this period, several productions were made. Among them:

• The performance-concert "A Visible Song", consisting of two sections. Efim Padwe also took part in the production, the management was carried out by Georgi Tovstonogov.
• The musical-dramatic poem "West Side Story", in which young artists Emmanuil Vitorgan, Alla Balter, Vadim Yakovlev, Viktor Kostetsky and other actors, mostly graduates of Georgy Tovstonogov, took part.

In 1972, Vladimir Vorobyov had to leave Lenkom in connection with personnel reshuffles.

Work in the theater of musical comedy

Thanks to the support of his mentor George Tovstonogov in 1972, Vladimir Vorobyov became the chief director of the Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) theater of musical comedy. Here the master works until 1988. Performances set during this period are rightfully included in the golden fund of the history of the musical theater of Russia. Vorobyov's performances were distinguished by high skill, where all the facets of the art of reincarnation were harmoniously combined: drama, plasticity, voice. In Soviet times there was no "musical", but it was his performances that became the basis for the development of this genre.

The most famous productions:

• "Wedding Krechinsky" (1973) based on the play by Alexander Sukhov-Kobylin. Composer - Alexander Kolker, poet and playwright - Kim Ryzhov.
• "Truffaldino" (1977) based on Carlo Goldon's play "The Servant of Two Masters". Music by Alexander Kolker.
• "Business" (1977) in the trilogy of Alexander Sukhov-Kobylin. The musical was written by Alexander Kolker.

Vladimir Vorobiev was really a genius director. He was able to build a classic operetta on such a high artistic pedestal that the period of his work was christened by the golden age of the Leningrad Musical Comedy Theater.

Vladimir Vorobiev - director of musical films

In addition to working in the theater, Vorobiev made several television films, very beloved by the Soviet audience. The national film "Truffaldino from Bergamo" starred with Raikin and Gundareva became popular. On the other roles were approved the actors of his theater. Vladimir Vorobyov is called the last director, who all heroes sing with their voices. Modern cinematography often practices a different approach, when some actors are shot, and others are voiced. "Truffaldino" is interesting in that the film was first shot, and after Vorobyov transferred it to the theatrical stage.

The two-part TV movie "Krechinsky's Wedding", on the contrary, was withdrawn after the premiere of the performance in the theater and was released in 1974. All the roles were performed by the same actors in the musical comedy, surprising with the amazing harmony of the game and the vocals. This musical comedy is among the best works of Soviet cinema, and it is still being reviewed by modern audiences with pleasure.

In 1982, TV viewers saw a three-part film "Treasure Island". Here Vladimir Vorobiev not only acted as a director, but also played the role of pirate George Mary. Together with him in the role of a young pastor, the son of Constantine was shot. It is known that the television film was twice subjected to censorship, as a result of which several scenes were cut out.

Roles in the cinema

In addition to the role of the pirate in his television movie "Treasure Island", Vorobiev also appeared in several other films. He first appeared on the screen in 1967, his hero - Semyon Mochalkin in the movie "Bracelet-2." Later, the audience saw him in the role of deputy director in the film "From salary to salary" (1985), in 1986 he starred in the film "Fuete", playing the secretary of the regional party committee. In the TV movie "Unusual Adventures of Karik and Vali" Vorobiev played the role of a police colonel.

In addition, the director wrote scripts for television films. So, in 1972, under his scenario, the director Igor Usatov shot a film called "Tobacco Captain" on a historical theme.

Family and the personal life of the director

The parents of the outstanding director were peasants from Tver region: Yegor Dmitrievich and Anastasia Grigorievna Vorobyov. It is known that the life of his father was swept away by the Great Patriotic War.

About the personal life of the actor of information a little, one can say for sure - in St. Petersburg there was a theatrical dynasty, and the founder of it was Vladimir Vorobiev (photos are presented in the article).

His children - Konstantin and Dmitry - famous actors of the theater and cinema, two grandchildren also chose a scenic path.

Tragic accident broke the life of a brilliant master in the 62-year life, when there were still a lot of plans, new productions and benefits. But the name of Vladimir Vorobyov forever will be inscribed in the theatrical history of Russia and Soviet cinema.