Theater. Song, parody and...

Vasiliy's mother - senior lecturer in the department of choir conducting of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan - noticed excellent vocal qualities in her son already in childhood. She began to develop his voice and learned Russian romances and Neapolitan songs together with him. Upon graduation from school Vasiliy knew English and Italian languages and wanted to apply to the Institute of Oriental Studies on the faculty of Japanese philology. However, as fate willed he became a student of the Tashkent State Institute of Arts named after Mannon Uygur.

Vasiliy Tverdohlebov appeared on the stages of three capital theaters: the Youth theater in the play "A violinist on the roof"; "Ilhom" theater in the production "Made in Studio 4" and in "Alladin" theater - in "The only heir" and "Fabri.Ha zvyozd". It is necessary to mention that in all these plays, except "The only heir", Vasiliy plays dramatic roles, successfully synthesizing in them the acting technique and vocal in which he, by the way, became seriously engaged once again on his second year at the institute. Together with his pedagogue, E.Pyatigorskaya, he worked on the most complicated vocal parts such as Figaro (in Russian and English languages), Don Juan, as well as Russian national songs "Kalinka" (Snow-ball tree), "Vdol po Piterskoy" (Down Piterskaya Street) and others. There were many significant acquaintances and moments in Vasiliy's life. He won in the "Poyte s nami" (Sing with us) competition with the song "Jamaica" (arrangement by Alexandr Kanaki, 2000, Tashkent) and the Italian song "O sole mia". Vasiliy was invited to participate in the 19th International vocalists competition named after Mikhail Glinka (Chelyabinsk city, 2001, Russia), in which the chairman of the jury was Irina Arhipova, a Russian national performer. Vasiliy passed two rounds out of three, where he performed Varlamov's complicated romance "Net, ne veryu ya" (No, I don't believe) and one must say that it was very difficult to pass these two rounds. The faultfinding committee dismissed vocalists from participation in the competition for the smallest blunder and a false note. Vasiliy later confessed that this competition and appreciation of his qualities by Arhipova herself boosted his confidence. He became a laureate as the youngest performer. He was 20 years old at that time.

- There was this guy who resembled Lenskiy ("Evgeniy Onegin" opera), - Vasiliy recalls. - he met some Ossetins in the hotel. He sang for them and went to restaurants with them. When he came on stage, he was asked to leave after the first chords. I was so sorry for the guy. Vasiliy completed magistrates at the Institute of Arts and wrote a dissertation "Comparative analysis of two theatrical schools", in which he described the entire 4-year cycle of studying in the institute and 2-year period of studying the studio of "Ilhom" theater. He had 3 degree plays: the first - "The Vaudeville Uncle" (author - Kaprielov) is a synthesis of two vaudevilles, the second - "Biloxi blues" (author - Neal Simon) - an army story in 3 parts. "In 1943 - 1944 the mobilization of American soldiers to Biloxi took place. The young men passed the school of life under the direction of sergeant Tummy. He taught roughly, inculcated real masculine conceptions. The film "Deep-sea plunger" reminds me of that play. Robert De Niro teaches those divers as roughly as sergeant Tummy. I played a writer, Morris Jerome, in the play. The music in the play was beautiful, mainly Glen Miller's compositions. We danced step, which was popular at that time. Unfortunately, the play remained a degree work and was never showed on the stages of the city". The third play - "Love, jazz and devil" (author - Joses Grushes) - is a tragicomedy produced by the leading actress of the Theater named after Hamza, Nadira Mahmudova.

- There are only two of us left from the entire course - Ilya Dudochkin and me. All the others left, went for business, - Vasiliy says regretfully. Now I understand that some studied in the theater only for the degree. Now there are more women in the theater, not enough "trousers", as always. The men went into business.

- When was your first performance?
- Probably in the maternity hospital. When I was just born, many people noticed that I screamed differently from other babies. He will probably be a singer - they said to my mother then.

- Your parents are also actors?
- My mother is a teacher in the conservatory. My father has worked on Uzbek television over 25 years. He was the director of such telecasts as "Ahborot" although he also graduated from the Drama Institute. He died in 1997. We were left with my mother who devoted herself in my education. I am the only child in the family.

- Why did you leave "Ilhom"?
- It is difficult to work in two theaters simultaneously - plays can clash. There was a new project being created in "Alladin" theater and so I left to "Alladin".

- What is your favorite role?
- Everyone. I don't play, I live every role in each play. Sometimes I don't want to come out of that time, state and character. This especially concerns the "Beloxi blues" play. I wanted to stay in that war йpoque, I wanted the play to continue, continue and never end.

- Who are your idols?
- Smoktunovskiy, Ranevskaya, Bikov - actors of the Soviet school, from the foreigners - Al Pacino.

- Have you ever played female parts when you had to change into a dress?
- Not serious roles although the role of "Baba-Yaga" (witch in Russian folk tales) in the New Year plays is no less difficult because children feel insincerity and believe everything.

- Which typical female gesture did you parody in this role?
- Coquettish adjusting of the hair.

I can talk endlessly with Vasiliy. As it turns out, he learned wood carving in school. He could not only make various instruments, but also refined jewelry boxes and caskets. Later on, his tutor - craftsman Igor Zubko taught the boy a more complicated technique of wood carving - encrustation. Unfortunately, now Vasiliy does not manage to contrive. In addition to mastering acting and singing technique Vasiliy now takes a great interest in the theater of shadows and already achieved great success. On the wedding of our designer in September, the guests watched, holding their breaths, scenes from the animal world for 15 minutes. He made realistic sounds of birds and mammals. By the way, Vasiliy can parody with his voice many outstanding people, such as Yeltsin, Gorbachev and other Russian politicians and singers. The guests of the magazine had a chance to make sure of this on 13^th of January, on the celebration of its birthday. You can ascertain the talent of this actor on the plays in "Aladdin" theater.