Published on: 2026-10-14
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
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In the new season, the Modern Theatre, subordinate to the capital’s To the Department of Culture, will present a large-scale performance “Seventeen Moments of Spring” based on the novel by Yulian Semyonov. Director Yuri Grymov will bring the work to the theatrical stage for the first time — viewers can expect a familiar story about courage, strength of spirit, and the work of Soviet intelligence agents, but with new details. The production will include plot lines and scenes that were not shown in the famous film by Tatyana Lioznova. Tickets are available through the “Mosbilet” service.
At the center of the story remains the Soviet intelligence officer Maxim Isaev, known as Stierlitz. Casting an actor for this role became one of the most challenging tasks in preparing the play. As noted at the theater, the search lasted a long time, but now the main intrigue of the upcoming premiere has been revealed — the famous intelligence officer will be played by Alexander Kolesnikov.
In an exclusive interview with “Mosbilet,” the actor talked about how he prepared for the role and what makes the new production unique.
— What was the most difficult part of working on the role: getting into the character, the intonation, the physical delivery, or something else?
— The most difficult part of this role is conveying the vivid and strong emotions of a character who, due to his profession, is supposed not to show these very emotions and even to minimize them as much as possible. To act with the utmost subtlety, in half-tones, even microtones.
— When you were told that you were approved for the role, what emotions did you feel, what did you think about?
— For some reason, the analogy with a birthday present came to mind. And this present is unexpected and pleasant. But at the same time, it will stay with you for a long time and continue to give you a range of various emotions. And it will also require you to live up to it. It’s very much like giving a pet that you are now responsible for.
— You will inevitably be compared to the Lieutenant Stierlitz portrayed by Tatyana Lioznova. Were you able to draw anything from Vyacheslav Tikhonov, or will this be a completely different interpretation of the character?
— Stirlitz Tikhonov is already on a subconscious level in the minds of most of us. And perhaps, without even wanting to, I instinctively borrow some acting tricks and actions from his performance or imitate them. This is more in the realm of psychology, when we involuntarily repeat certain habits of people we value and love. But just as there are no two identical fingerprints, my Stirlitz will inevitably turn out completely different, especially since this will be his theatrical version.
— “Seventeen Moments of Spring”– it is both a novel by Yulian Semyonov and a cult TV film. What did you rely on primarily when working on the character and why?
— In our case, in addition to the novel and the TV film, there was also a play based on the novel by Yulian Semyonov. Relying on these three foundations, I create the image of the main character. I admit, I looked on the Internet, read about the prototypes he referred to, according to the author’s remarks and the testimony of literary scholars and his relatives, Yulian Semyonov himself. Of course, I also refreshed my knowledge about the setting and the events of the Second World War in the spring of 1945, looking at everything anew, from inside the theme. I won’t highlight anything in particular from this list — everything will be useful, everything adds to the image of the hero.
— Was there a moment during rehearsals that you remember as a turning point: that’s when the role began to take shape?
— Probably, such a turning point came when we reached the finale of the play. When my character reached the final point of his stage journey. And I realized that I had arrived exactly where I was supposed to.
— What does director Yuri Grymov require from the actors during the preparation for the play?
— They demand a complaint book, satisfaction, or continuation of the banquet. We have a professional team, and therefore demanding of themselves. Yuri Vyacheslavovich is a top professional in his field, and we must live up to him, even if it is sometimes difficult. Therefore, probably the main requirement and key to successful work is professionalism and responsibility of each and everyone together.
— Which of your past theater roles does Stierlitz resemble?
— I caught myself thinking that Stierlitz is the hero that my Pierre Bezukhov from “War and Peace” and Joseph Schwarz from “Night in Lisbon” would ultimately become. The qualities of strong-willed personalities, which were only beginning to emerge and develop in these characters as the events unfolded, reached their peak in Stierlitz. Moral and spiritual resilience, integrity of character, humanism, inner purity, the desire to be useful and faithful, united with one’s country and people—these are the same qualities that will be revealed in Pierre Bezukhov at the end of his search. Joseph Schwarz, after the trials of wandering and the death of his beloved wife, shows in the final monologue of the play his determination to fight Nazism. So my heroes are kindred spirits.
— What is unique about the play “Seventeen Moments of Spring”, what reason does the viewer have to come to it?
— The uniqueness of our performance lies in its necessity. A necessity precisely in our time, when entire generations begin to lose their memory, when there is a shortage of kindness and humanity in the world. To quote Remarque: “What can one person give to another, except a drop of warmth? And what could be greater than that?” Besides the warmth that warms the soul, our performance shows that it is necessary not only to know but also to remember. To remember and to look at the fateful events of the mid-20th century through the prism of the years of the 21st century.
Purchase tickets for this premiere and other theater performances “Moderna” without markups and commissions, it is available on the “Mosbilet” service. For participants loyalty programs They also offer to use “Mosbilet” points when paying for a purchase to receive a discount of up to 20 percent. And after attending the event, 10 percent of the ticket cost will be credited to their bonus account in the form of points.
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