Francoski šik: Ekaterina Varnava, Svetlana Ustinova & Dmitrii Kondrashov

Na Azurni obali je bila premiera predstave ‘Chanel proti Rubinstein’. Novinarka in filantropinja Anna Stukkert se je srečala z igralci, da bi se pogovorili o gledališču, usodi likov in o tem, kaj pomeni biti zvest samemu sebi.

Gre za zgodbo o ljubezenskem trikotniku, o rivalstvu dveh močnih žensk ali o duhu sodobnega časa? Zakaj je predstava edinstven?

Ekaterina: Ljubezenski trikotnik je zgolj sprožilec konflikta, ne pa osrednja tema. Predstava govori o duhu časa – dobe svobode, ustvarjalnega razcveta in rojstva novega posameznika. Ključna ideja je spopad in nasprotovanje dveh popolnoma različnih, a enako močnih poti ženske v iskanju svobode in samouresničitve.

Svetlana: Na odru so trije igralci. Zgodba opisuje eno leto iz življenja Coco Chanel, Ide Rubinstein in princa Dmitrija Romanova, ključne osebnosti ruske zgodovine po revoluciji. Ti liki povezujejo Francijo in Rusijo: Chanel kot simbol svobode in inovativnosti, Rubinstein kot junakinja, ki si je ustvarila mesto v evropski kulturi, in princ Romanov, razpet med dvema močnima ženskama, a nezmožen najti svoj prostor v novem svetu.

Kako ste se odločili, da se osredotočite prav na Coco Chanel?

Svetlana: Raziskali smo veliko virov in našli številne skupne točke. Za Francijo je Chanel simbol svobode; za Rusijo tistega časa pa je to bila dinastija Romanov. Princ Dmitrij, ki je čudežno preživel, v Evropi išče svoj prostor in po naključju da Chanel idejo za njen legendarni parfum. Ida Rubinstein je s svojo umetnostjo povzročila revolucijo v plesu in obogatila francosko in svetovno kulturo – podobno kot Chanel v modi. Obe sta govorili jezik svobode in ženske neodvisnosti.

Zakaj premiera prav v Franciji?

b: Ker sta bili tako Coco Chanel kot Ida Rubinstein del ‘Ruskih sezon’. Chanel je celo financirala Diagilevovo predstavo ob Stravinskem in oblikovala kostume. Za nas je to poklon zgodovini in simbolna gesta.

V središču zgodbe je spopad mode in plesa. Kako se to odraža na odru?

Svetlana: Ti svetovi govorijo različne jezike. Chanel predstavlja minimalizem in linijo; Rubinstein – čustvo in telo. Na odru se prepletajo skozi gibanje, ritem in vizualne podobe. Naloga gledališča ni dokazovati, temveč očarati gledalca in ga povabiti k soustvarjanju umetniškega dvoboja.

Zgodba se odvija pred sto leti. Zakaj je aktualna še danes?

Dmitrij: Ker je brezčasna. Vprašanja, kot so ‘Kdo sem?’, ‘Kako ostati zvest sebi v svetu pravil in konvencij?’, ‘Kakšno ceno sem pripravljen plačati za mirno življenje?’, so danes enako pereča. Moj lik Dmitrij Romanov je izgubil vse in oporo išče v močnih ženskah. To je zgodba o mladem moškem, razpetem med pretresi, ki išče notranje ravnovesje in poskuša najti pot nazaj v nekoč lep svet.

Svetlana, Coco Chanel je ikona stila. Kaj vam je bilo pomembno pokazati v njenem liku?

Svetlana: Za ikono se skriva človek. Pomembno mi je bilo pokazati njeno ranljivost, bolečino in osamljenost – prav iz tega je črpala svojo moč. Zame je gledališče katarza, in tudi Chanel je šla skozi ta proces, da je postala legenda.

Dmitrij, vaš lik je v središču konflikta. Kako razkriva glavni junakinji?

Dmitrij: Princ Dmitrij Pavlovič ni zgolj »jabolko spora«. Je izziv za vsako močno, svetlo žensko, ki hrepeni po občudovanju in ljubezni. Za eno je strast in svoboda, za drugo – izziv in bolečina. Moja naloga je pokazati, kako njegova prisotnost postane katalizator njunih odločitev in preobrazbe njunih usod.

Vaše predstave so že gostovale po Evropi. Kakšni so nadaljnji načrti?

Svetlana: Verjamemo, da bo »Chanel proti Rubinstein« gostovala ne le po Evropi, temveč tudi v Ameriki. Zelo si želimo, da bi jo predstavili tudi v Rusiji. Pripravili bomo tudi podnapise, da bo dostopna širšemu občinstvu. Ta zgodba pravzaprav ni vezana na Francijo ali Rusijo – razumel jo bo lahko vsak.

Za konec: kaj želite, da si občinstvo odnese s predstave?

Svetlana: Da začutijo lepoto – tudi v tragediji. Harmonija je vedno blizu – le naučiti se jo moramo slišati.

Dmitrij: Osamljenost je žalostna, a neizogibna za egoista, ki ni sposoben hoditi ob drugih. Morda se bo kdo v mojem liku prepoznal in se zamislil.

Ekaterina: Želim si, da bi občinstvo navdihnila pogum Chanel in Rubinstein ter bi verjeli, da lahko vsak spremeni svoje življenje.

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French Glamour with Ekaterina Varnava, Svetlana Ustinova & Dmitrii Kondrashov

On the French Riviera, the premiere of the play “Chanel contre Rubinstein”  took place. Journalist and philanthropist Anna Stukkert met with the actors to talk about theater, the fate of the play’s characters, and what it means to be oneself.

“Chanel contre Rubinstein”– is it a story about a love triangle, the rivalry of two strong women, or the spirit of an entire era? What makes this new play unique?

Ekaterina: The love triangle is only a trigger for conflict, not the main theme. This play is about the spirit of an entire era – an era of freedom, creative explosion, and the birth of a new individual. The central idea is the clash and opposition of two absolutely different, yet equally powerful, paths for a woman’s journey toward freedom and self-expression.

Svetlana: There are three actors on stage. The story covers one year in the lives of Coco Chanel, Ida Rubinstein, and Prince Dmitri Romanov, a key figure in Russia’s dramatic history after the Revolution. These characters connect France and Russia: Chanel as a symbol of freedom and innovation, Rubinstein as a heroine who found her place in Europe, and Prince Romanov, torn between two strong women but unable to find his own place in the new world.

How did the idea to focus on Coco Chanel come about?

Svetlana: We studied many sources and found points of intersection. For France, Chanel is a symbol of freedom; for Russia at that time, it was the Romanov dynasty. Prince Dmitri, who miraculously survived, searches for his place in Europe and accidentally gives Chanel the idea for creating a fragrance. Ida Rubinstein brought a revolution to dance, enriching French and global culture just as Chanel did with fashion. Both spoke the language of freedom and women’s independence.

Why is the premiere being held in France?

Ekaterina: Because both Coco Chanel and Ida Rubinstein were part of the “Russian Seasons.” Chanel even financed Diaghilev’s production to Stravinsky’s music and designed costumes. For us, this is a tribute to history and a symbolic gesture.

At the heart of the story is the clash of fashion and dance. How is this opposition reflected on stage?

Svetlana: These worlds speak different languages. Chanel represents minimalism and line; Rubinstein – emotion and body. On stage, they merge through movement, rhythm, and visual imagery. The role of theater is not to prove, but to captivate the viewer and make them a co-participant in the creative duel.

The story unfolded a hundred years ago. Why is it relevant today?

Dmitrii: It is timeless. Questions like “Who am I?”, “How can I remain myself in a world of conventions?”, “What price am I willing to pay for a peaceful life?” are just as pressing now. My character, Dmitri Romanov, having lost everything, seeks support in strong women. It is a story about a young man torn by upheavals, searching for inner balance and trying to return to his once beautiful life.

Svetlana, Coco Chanel is an icon of style. What was important for you to show in her image?

Svetlana: Behind the icon hides a human being. For me, it was important to show her vulnerability, pain, and loneliness, which became the source of her strength. For me, theater is catharsis, and Chanel went through it to become a legend.

Dmitrii, your character is at the center of the conflict. How does his image reveal the main heroines?

Dmitrii: Prince Dmitri Pavlovich is not simply the “apple of discord.” He is a provocation for every strong, radiant woman longing for admiration and love. For one, he is passion and freedom; for the other – challenge and pain. My task is to show how his presence becomes the catalyst for their decisions and the transformation of their destinies.

Your productions have already toured Europe. What are your plans next?

Svetlana: We believe that “Chanel contre Rubinstein” will tour not only across Europe but also in America. We would love to present it in Russia as well. We will prepare subtitles to broaden the audience. In fact, this story is not tied to France or Russia – it can be understood by everyone.

Finally, what would you like the audience to take away from the play?

Svetlana: That they feel beauty even in tragedy. Harmony is always near – one just needs to learn to hear it.

Dmitrii: Loneliness is sad but inevitable for an egoist unable to walk alongside others. Perhaps someone will see themselves in my character and reflect.

Ekaterina: I want the audience to be inspired by the courage of Chanel and Rubinstein and to believe that anyone can change their life.

Teams credits:

Talent: Ekaterina Varnava @kativarnava

Talent: Svetlana Ustinova @svetaustinova

Talent: Dmitrii Kondrashov @kondrashoov

Director, creator and producer : Olga Khenkina @khenkina

Interview: Anna Stukkert @anna_stukkert_

Production Manager: Vera Bonillo @byveraagency

Costume Designer: Alisa Matviychuk @__alisa_m__

Photo: Valeria Neborskaya @lerri_vision