Audrey from the Vakhtangov Theatre
The premiere of I Created Audrey Hepburn marks a brilliant directorial debut for Adeline Gizatullina. The production is staged at the Theatre’s Studio venue, where the intimate atmosphere — with an audience of only 35 people — allows you to hear the actors breathe.
The dramatic relationship between Audrey Hepburn and her mother, Baroness Ella van Heemstra, required the sensitive hearts of gifted collaborators to truly bring it to life, with Adeline acting as both conductor and composer of this theatrical symphony. Although admiration and love for Audrey’s extraordinary gift can be felt in every “frame,” the production does not attempt to portray the triumph of a movie star whose aura as an Academy Award winner remains undiminished even today.
Instead, the creators focus on the mother figure and raise timeless questions about the nature of maternal love: where is the line between support and pressure, acceptance and the desire to reshape a child according to one’s own ideals? Director Adeline Gizatullina emphasizes that the story will resonate not only with women but also with men — everyone may recognize something of themselves in the characters. This approach transforms a biographical drama into a universal reflection on family and growing up.
Although the production features only two actresses, it feels as though an entire world unfolds before us. Honored Artist of Russia Elena Sotnikova embodies Baroness Ella. With remarkable dramatic conviction, she conveys the complexity of Audrey’s mother: aristocratic coldness, authority, and at the same time a sincere, all-consuming, unconditional love for her daughter.
Young and highly talented Anna Chumak portrays Audrey Hepburn. Her performance is also masterful. She faces the challenge of stepping beyond the image of the real Audrey — an image so iconic that once seen on screen, it is almost impossible to escape. Instead, she creates her own level of elusive charm, and succeeds. Behind it lies the inner world of women who, through this battle of love, uncover new psychological depths in close relationships.
The actresses’ duet creates a tense and layered dynamic. Their scenes — at times quiet and confessional, at others explosive and dramatic — keep the audience emotionally engaged throughout. The Studio’s intimate space contributes enormously to this effect: viewers are placed literally at arm’s length from the action. It intensifies the feeling of presence and makes one feel like a witness to a deeply personal, almost intimate conversation. The minimalist set never distracts from the performances, while the lighting design emphasizes shifts in mood — from nostalgic sadness to emotional intensity.
One almost regrets that this production cannot be performed on a larger stage. Its theatrical language feels fresh and vibrant, enriched by unexpected yet striking details: an exaggerated bridal veil, a shoe serving as an Oscar statuette, a moving prison-bar structure. These metaphors are original and deeply theatrical.
All of this makes the performance captivating from beginning to end. Adeline Gizatullina’s production proves that even well-known biographies can be transformed into theatre of the highest level — if they are reimagined so that they speak in a new voice while still resonating on an existential level.
