Konstantin Raikin, People’s Artist of Russia and artistic director of the Satirikon Theater, delivered a captivating autobiographical performance titled “Collected Works,” exploring the profound impact of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) on his life and the legacy of his family. Raikin, who recently celebrated his 75th birthday, shared excerpts from the show, which took place at Corinthia, revealing personal memories and reflections on the city’s complex history and its influence on his artistic journey.
Raikin highlighted the pivotal role Leningrad played in the formation of his father, Arkady Raikin, as a professional artist. Arkady Raikin studied at the Theater Institute in Leningrad, mentored by Vladimir Nikolaevich Solovyov, a colleague of Meyerhold, and deeply admired Meyerhold’s work at the Alexandrinka. Raikin recounted an anecdote about Meyerhold inviting his father to work in his theater, an offer his father ultimately declined on the advice of his teacher, Solovyov, who believed his place was on the stage.
The actor reminisced about his early childhood in a communal apartment on Grechesky Prospekt, where nine families lived together. He fondly recalled the amicable relationships with his neighbors and shared stories of his father’s interventions in potentially dangerous situations, including thwarting a thief and defusing a confrontation with a man seeking to settle accounts with a prosecutor who also lived in the building.
Raikin also spoke about his deep love for learning and his commitment to studying well, instilled by his family’s strong socialist ideals. He described himself as a conscientious student who took his academic responsibilities seriously, even attending a “hooligan school” where he excelled despite the occasional fights and conflicts.
He shared vivid memories of his childhood fears and anxieties, particularly after reading scary books like “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” which led him to wait anxiously for his parents’ return after performances, often hiding under a blanket on all fours for comfort. Raikin also discussed the artistic influences he encountered in Leningrad, including the powerful performances at the Bolshoi Drama Theater (BDT) under Georgy Alexandrovich Tovstonogov, where he witnessed the brilliance of actors like Smoktunovsky, Borisov, Yursky, Doronina, and Lebedev.
Raikin recounted the transformative experience of seeing Marcel Marceau perform in 1961, which sparked a pantomime boom in the Soviet Union. Inspired by Marceau’s artistry, he began practicing pantomime and even joined a studio at the Lensovet Palace of Culture. He also recalled the excitement of meeting Marceau at his home, where the mime artist was deeply moved by a poster of Jean-Louis Barrault signed by Barrault himself.
Raikin confessed to feeling ashamed of his famous last name as a child, preferring to be known by another name to avoid unwanted attention. He also shared his passion for biology and his time spent at the Leningrad Zoo, where he cared for animals and observed their behavior, which later influenced his performances.
The actor discussed his involvement in track and field athletics, where he excelled as a runner and jumper but ultimately left the sport due to envy and the realization that he would not be the best. He also recounted his experience auditioning for the film “Truffaldino from Bergamo” and his initial conflict with director Vladimir Yegorovich Vorobyov, which eventually led to a close friendship.
Raikin recalled discovering the songs of Vladimir Vysotsky in Leningrad and later befriending the artist in Moscow. He shared a story of Vysotsky performing at his family’s apartment, prompting neighbors to initially complain about the noise before ultimately gathering on the landing to listen.
Raikin concluded by reflecting on the complex and sometimes tragic history of Leningrad, acknowledging its beauty while also remembering the persecution of artists like Brodsky and the injustices perpetrated by city officials. He emphasized the importance of not forgetting these darker aspects of the city’s past.
Lev Lurie’s “House of Culture” will announce the poster for the next meetings of “Collected Works” soon, with potential guests including Teodor Currentzis, Elizaveta Boyarskaya, Nikolai Fomenko, and Maxim Leonidov. Lurie describes Russia as a two-headed eagle with Moscow and St. Petersburg as its wings, highlighting his interest in exploring the unique identity of St. Petersburg and engaging in conversations with interesting people about themselves and their connection to the city.