The artist recalled that he entered several universities in Moscow.
This is Konstantin Khabensky, director of the Moscow Art Theatre. Chekhov, winner of the State Prize of the Russian Federation and People’s Artist of Russia, star of “The Night Watch”, the TV series “Method” and “Admiral”. And in the mid-eighties, even before entering the theatre university, a young Leningrader was polishing, playing music on the street and even sweeping gardens. He decided to tell the students how the Leningrad street brought Khabensky to the stage of the VK program “Actors Studio” by Vadim Vernik (Igor Vernik’s brother).
The artist recalled that he entered several Moscow universities (GITIS and VTU named after Shchepkin), did quite well in competitions, but then he simply ran out of money to travel by train to Moscow and settled in his hometown, where he began performing in the amateur theater “Saturday”. The artist also had leading roles in serious performances (“Three Comrades”), and in not so serious ones.
“I remember playing Baba Yaga in a New Year’s fairy tale,” the actor recalled one of his first, most striking roles. – I think he even put on makeup. He was so excited! Baba Yaga is very scary. That’s why when I approached the front rows, the children were screaming in fear and urinating. Only later did I realize that this was how it should be, that everything was right.
He decided to tell the students how Leningrad Street brought Khabensky to the stage of the VK Actors Studio program.
Since then, Khabensky decided that his role in the theatre was that of a “comic old lady”, because “he can afford everything.” Considering this, as well as the specific appearance of the artist from the point of view of reference model samples, the story about Konstantin’s casting with the great Alexei German seems especially funny.
“There was only one director in my life who gently removed me from the set after auditions,” the actor recalled. “I still use his expression. He said: “Konstantin, you are too beautiful for my film.” I realized that this was the highest degree of delicacy and intelligence. As for appearance, everything depends on the personality of the artist. If he wants to use his appearance, then he moves from one role to another according to the type. If he wants to combat this appearance using talent, then he starts using it.
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