It took only two weeks for the new general director of the Moscow Art Theater. Gorky to Vladimir Kekhman in order to establish a connection with Tatyana Doronina, whom the previous artistic director unceremoniously expelled from her theatrical house. MK learned that the first telephone conversation took place between Vladimir Kekhman and Tatiana Doronina.
– Vladimir Abramovich, when did this happen and who was the initiator of the conversation?
– Naturally, it was me who initiated the conversation. It was scheduled for 16:00 and at exactly 16:00 I got a call. I heard this soft voice, familiar to me from childhood: “Good evening, Vladimir Abramovich.”
– How long did it last? What mood, as you heard, is Tatyana Vasilievna?
– We talked for about 40 minutes. I felt that she was in an absolutely elated mood, but at the same time she was calm. We have discussed several positions. First, Tatyana Vasilievna gave me a number of recommendations related to the state of the theater stage complex. “There is a grave condition,” she said and advised to order an expert examination of the Ministry of Culture.
– Did you talk about the actors whom Eduard Boyakov fired from the theater?
– Yes, and this is the second point of our conversation. “Give me a gift, Vladimir Abramovich – bring the dismissed artists back,” she said. I promised her to meet with all the artists, but I said: “It is better if you yourself come to the theater, look at the artists and decide everything.” I am only in favor, but this is possible not earlier than January – simply for internal reasons.
– For whom else did Tatyana Vasilievna bother?
– For the new director of the troupe, she asked to be given an apartment.
– Will you give me?
– Let’s see, such issues are not quickly resolved. Tatyana Vasilievna approved and, I would say blessing, the appointment to an important position in the theater – the head of the directing department Yevgeny Vasiliev: he knows the theater well, he worked in it for 32 years.
– Someone else was present at your conversation?
– Yes, Galina Aleksandrovna Arikhanova, who worked under Tatyana Vasilyevna, will be the head of the theater, a unique woman. She also asked Tatyana Vasilievna to come to the theater.
– Did Tatyana Vasilievna ask for something for herself? Maybe she was complaining about something? After all, they treated her completely unfairly and cruelly.
– I have not heard any complaints. The only thing she asked for herself was to correct those liberties in the performances where she was a director, admitted under the previous leadership. I promised her that. And for “Vassa Zheleznova” he offered to hold a casting of artists. She also asked to remove from drama performances everything related to ballet, pop numbers, an excessive amount of music. I will do so.
From our conversation, I understood how ineptly formed her image in the public mind. Whatever she was accused of: that she did not let anyone into the performances. “It’s not true,” she told me. “Look for talented young directors.” And I also found out that she does not have a mobile phone – only a home one. He offered to send his device, said: “I would like you to have something of mine.” To which Tatyana Vasilievna replied: “This is a bribe, Vladimir Abramovich, this is not possible.”
– The last question: is it known when Tatyana Vasilievna will appear in the theater, in which she has not been for almost three years?
– I asked her the same question. She replied that it was still premature, that she did not feel very well. But we are in constant contact.
