The Play I Created Audrey Hepburn Is Dedicated to the Iconic Actress’s Relationship with Her Mother
The Vakhtangov Theatre hosted the premiere of I Created Audrey Hepburn, based on the play of the same name by Adeline Gizatullina. The emerging playwright and director developed the work together with actress and poet Elena Sotnikova, who portrays Audrey’s mother on stage. While the production is rooted in real events from Audrey Hepburn’s life, its central focus is the woman who stood behind her becoming who she was.
“The world knows Audrey Hepburn as an actress and a style icon. But very few people know what she truly dreamed about. I believe this story will resonate not only with women. Men, too, will recognize themselves in these characters. I was fascinated by Audrey as a child, and I continue to admire her today — a woman of extraordinary purity and kindness,” says the director.
The premiere was timed to coincide with Audrey Hepburn’s birthday. In the production, Audrey is portrayed by Anna Chumak. Hepburn was born on May 4 in Belgium and spent her youth in the Netherlands under Nazi occupation. Her mother was Baroness Ella van Heemstra, while her father, Joseph Hepburn-Ruston, left the family when Audrey was only six years old.
Beginning her career on Broadway, Hepburn later performed some of her most memorable roles in Roman Holiday (for which she received an Academy Award), Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Funny Face, Charade, My Fair Lady, and How to Steal a Million. Even after stepping away from the screen, she remained a source of inspiration and a role model for many.
Future performances of I Created Audrey Hepburn are scheduled for May 5 and 21, as well as June 5 and 21, on the Studio Stage.