Three true stories of dancers from one of the world's leading musical theaters reveal the dark side of the ballet world without censorship. What internal barriers, assumptions, and fears can prevent recognition and success? How can an artist and their own body become sworn enemies?

Choreographer and director Yuri Smekalov, together with Alexander Tsypkin, a renowned Russian author who is making his playwright debut at Priut Komedianta, present a truthful, funny, and at the same time dramatic story about people who have dedicated their lives to the stage. What is ballet really silent about?

Yuri Smekalov

Soloist of the Mariinsky Theater, winner of the Golden Mask National Theater Award, choreographer. He has created productions at the Bolshoi, Mariinsky, Samara Opera and Ballet Theaters, Priut Komedianta Theater, and others. Founder and artistic director of the creative association MAD Company, an independent dance company producing ballet performances in Russia and abroad.

Alexander Tsypkin

Author of the bestsellers "Women of Unrelenting Age," "House of Dates," and "The Girl Who Always Laughed Last." He is the creator of the "Unprincipled Readings" project, a literary and theatrical format in which prose is read by the authors themselves and popular actors, including Konstantin Khabensky, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Victoria Isakova, Anna Mikhalkova, and others. He is a winner of the Guild of Film Critics Prize at the Kinotavr Film Festival for his film "Farewell, Darling," starring Ksenia Rappoport.

Based on Vyacheslav Zarenkov's story "Return to Life"

Couture Ballet by Yuri Smekalov, music by Mikhail Krylov and Vlad Zhukov

World Premiere: December 12, 2020, Sakhalin Opera and Ballet Theatre