The Russian experimental theatre company Pyotr Fomenko Workshop will perform the 19th-century Russian farce "Wolves and Sheep," a play combining elements of melancholy, poetry, impressionism and humour, tonight and tomorrow at Beijing's Capital Theater.

Largely about cheats and scoundrels, the play by Alexander Ostrovsky features several protagonists in two opposing camps. The "wolves," headed by Meropiya and her lawyer, are sly and manipulative types. Meanwhile, the "sheep," led by Meropiya's poor nephew and the rich young widow next door, seem innocent and vulnerable next to bullies such as Meropiya.

Under Fomenko's direction, Ostrovsky's 19th-century farce opens completely new horizons. There are moments of sheer weirdness that could only be Russian.

"Under Fomenko's direction, 'Wolves and Sheep' will live up to theatregoers' high expectations," said Ma Zhenghong, the Chinese director and 1992 graduate of Fomenko and assistant director of "Wolves and Sheep" in 1992.

Fully displaying his unique directing style, "Wolves and Sheep" is one of Fomenko's most acclaimed works, Ma said.

"Fomenko has his own deep tangible ties with the inner world of Ostrovsky's characters actors, merchants, husband-hunting women, success-hunting men, unsatisfied middle-class people too defenceless to be heroes and too weak not to arouse compassion," said Ma.

Good examples

"Wolves and Sheep" is the third play to be staged as part of the Year of Russia in China, which has seen droves of Russian dramatists entertain Chinese theatregoers.

The first two productions, Maxim Gorky's "The Philistines" performed by the legendary Moscow Art Theatre and Alexander Ostrovsky's play "Even A Wise Man Stumbles" by Moscow's State Academy Maly Drama Theatre, have already left deep impressions upon the audiences.

Chinese theatre professionals, who are looking forward to tonight's show, said they have already learnt a lot from their Russian counterparts.

Meng Jinghui, China's leading avant-garde director, said "The Philistines" was the best play he had seen so far this year, adding that he appreciated all of the actors' performances.

Popular Chinese actor Pu Cunxin added: "I watched both Russian plays. They were unexpectedly wonderful. Every performer deserves our admiration."

Pu noted that modern Chinese drama drew a lot of inspiration from Russian theatre, with Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko being particular role models.

"Our fathers' generation staged many Russian plays," said Pu, a leading actor and artistic director of Beijing People's Art Theatre. His father Su Min was once a renowned actor and director of the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

"However, we have neglected Russian plays for a while," Pu said.

In 1991, when a Russian director came to Beijing People's Art Theatre to direct "Seagull," the performers including Pu felt it was difficult to communicate with him.

"It was not because of the language," he recalled. "It was because we knew little about the background of the play, or their approach towards performing it."

"We have lagged behind Russian and global drama trends for quite some time. We, as Chinese theatre professionals, need to open our minds, see more of the latest productions and become aware of global drama trends," Pu added.

Tong Daoming, a veteran drama critic specializing in Russian works, agreed with Pu. He said that "Wolves and Sheep" is well worth seeing.

Renowned director

Born in 1932, Fomenko is one of Russia's most renowned theatre directors and teachers. Although he follows in the rich tradition in the Russian theatre, Fomenko has established his own unique style.

"What distinguishes Fomenko is his passionate desire to communicate exclusively on levels of dignity, intelligence, beauty and honesty. Fomenko does not shun hard truths," wrote The Moscow Times.

Fomenko graduated from the Philological Faculty of Moscow Pedagogical Institute in 1955 and in 1961 from the Directors' Faculty of GITIS (Russian Academy of Theatre Art), which has helped shape contemporary Russian theatre.

He worked at different Moscow theatres in the 1960s and 1970s. From 1977 to 1981, he was the chief artistic director of Leningrad Comedy Theatre. Fomenko returned to Moscow in 1981. He has taught at GITIS, where he became a professor in 1992.

In 1993, he formed the Pyotr Fomenko Workshop as an experimental theatre to be used by various directors to realize their respective projects and ideas, and with a view to revealing actors' potential, experimenting with complicated spatial arrangements and trying out different production and acting styles. Another important goal was to continue with and improve young actors' professional training.

Their productions over the last 13 years include: Ostrovsky's "Wolves and Sheep," Vakhtin's "An Absolutely Happy Village," Tolstoy's "Family Happiness" and "War and Peace," Giraudoux's "The Madwoman of Chaillot," Pushkin's "Egyptian Nights" and Chekhov's "Three Sisters."

(China Daily July 4, 2006)