The acclaimed Russian actress Svetlana Ustinova will perform in “Anna and Lev”, a theatrical production depicting the complex relationship between poet Anna Akhmatova and her son Lev Gumilev. The performance, directed by Olga Henkin, will be staged at Yerevan’s Mher Mkrtchyan Artistic Theater on September 10 and 11.
This production has already garnered international acclaim, with successful runs in Paris, Monaco, Riga, and Berlin. Organizers promise that this presentation will offer Armenian audiences a deeply moving cultural experience.
A Confessional Performance
According to Nina Harutyunyan, founder of Good Music, the organizers behind the local staging, this is more than a biopic about a great poet.
“This is a confession between a mother and her son. There was always tension between Anna Akhmatova and Lev Gumilev. They found it difficult to listen to one another, and a real conversation never took place. On stage, we become witnesses to the dialogue they never had in life.”
Harutyunyan emphasized Ustinova’s transformative performance:
“She portrays both Akhmatova and her son with remarkable depth. Audiences in other cities have been moved to tears.”
A Timeless Connection
Akhmatova never visited Armenia, yet her love for the country was profound—she translated Armenian poets, maintained friendships with figures like Mandelstam (who fondly called her “Anush”), and had her portrait painted by Martiros Saryan. Harutyunyan noted:
“Our audience deeply feels stories of words, maternal love, and spiritual strength.”
“Anna and Lev” promises an emotionally resonant performance that transcends borders, bringing into focus one of Russia’s most iconic literary legacies through the lens of mother-son dynamics. For culture lovers and theatergoers alike, Svetlana Ustinova’s portrayal offers a rare opportunity to witness poetic intimacy on stage.
