Aleksei Arbuzov (1908-1986)

Biography of the playwright Aleksei Arbuzov

Born in Moscow in May 26, 1908. His father was Russian and his mother Greek. Nurtured by his aunt from the age of ten that he lost his parents. For a long time he wander about.
His first contact with theatre was at 1922 when he was hired as an extra in Marinski Theatre of St. Petersburg. He develops his skills in a theatre studio (1924) and next year enters a drama school where he graduates after two years (1927).
For some time he directs a touring troupe and puts on plays in Leningrad. Also he takes on the literature department of the first sovkhoz theatre in the capital area of Russia. In 1930 goes to Moscow and writes in the magazine «Stage Club».
In the same year writes his first play -in a total of 30 that he has written- «Rank». After four years writes his first comedy, «Six Lovers» (the idea was born from his experience in sovkhoz). In 1936 writes the play «Long Way» and after two years «Tania», the two most successful of his plays.
With director Pluchek he made a group during the war (1939-1944) that played for the soldiers of vanguard. At the same time with Pluchek created a drama school.
In 1947 writes «Get with youth» and in 1953 «European Chronicles» and «Years of wandering» (this one he consider it as his best play). After six years writes «Twelfth hour» and «Irkutsk Story».
In early 1965, published the very known play «The Promise» that played at the same year in 66 Russian theatres (1636 performances). Then in 1967 he writes the play «Nocturnal confession».
In the years 1971-1981, he had the management of Young Dramatist studio in collaboration with other significant teachers like L.Petrousevkajia and A. Kazanchek. For these times was a serious deed, because it helped many unwanted playwrights. In 1975 wrote his last play «Old fashion comedy».
Arbuzov plays, published and directed in almost all the countries. He also wrote many movie-scripts like «Poor Marik» (U.K.), «Old Arbat Fairy tales», «Old fashion Comedy», «The choice» (Poland), «Memories» (France) etc.
He was Moscow Writers Association secretary and vice-president of International Theatre Institute. Married three times and got a son and two daughters. Lived most of his life in Moscow and almost all of his plays were written in Gialt.
Died in April 20, 1986.

 

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