The ceremony of presenting the Kyiv Pectoral 1999 theatrical
award turned into a pompous three-hour show. This time, it seemed, the
organizing committee was determined to stage a real performance, as dictated
by Theater Day, and the Pectoral awards ceremony traditionally dated to
coincide with it. The street Experimental Theater showed a really festive
and impressive rendition in front of the Franko Theater entrance, as the
ceremony took place inside. The artistic part of the Pectoral ceremony
was built in a manner best described as Mulligan stew, a mixture of ballet
and buffoons. However, the main intrigue surrounded who would receive the
gilded Pectoral crescent.
The tentative and final results of the current handing
out of trophies puzzled many. Suffice it to say that the nominations for
Best Female Supporting Role, Best Director, and Plastique Rendition of
a Play were withdrawn literally the last few days before the final round
of the jury’s vote. Awards in other categories caused varying emotions
among many in the audience, except for one married couple who were happy
beyond all doubt, winning three trophies. Anatoly Khostikoyev received
the Pectoral for his Kin IV named the best play and best debut;
Natalia Sumska was named Actress of the Year for her Masha in Andriy Zholdak’s
Three Sisters. And Shavkat Abdulasimov’s production design also
won. The Koleso Theater’s rendition of Flaubert’s Emma and the music
for the play by Mikhail Chemberzhi won in the newly introduced category
of Best Chamber Performance. In fact the jury believes Chemberzhi’s composition
the top of the season. Prestigious actor’s nominations brought the Lesia
Ukrainka company performers two Pectorals for their parts in Gogol’s Inspector
General. Yuri Mazhuha’s Mayor was found matchless, as was Dmytro Lalekov’s
supporting role as Khlopov. The Theater in Lypky’s Adventures of Tom
Sawyer was named an outstanding children’s play and Yevhen Stankovych’s
music for The Vikings ballet was described as “creative event of
the year” (a rather ambiguous judgment). Finally, honorary Pectorals for
many years of contribution to the art went to choreographers Anatoly Belov
and Oleksandr Sehal, along with playwright Yaroslav Stelmakh.
№11 April 04 2000 «The
Day»
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