The Novosibirsk Drama Theater Red Torch is preparing to present the production House, Goodbye, drawn from the short stories of writer Alexander Tsypkin. In a striking casting move, Tsypkin himself is slated to perform one of the central roles, a decision confirmed by the theater’s communications team. In this staging he embodies the voice of the author, weaving the creator into the fabric of the drama as a live narrator on stage.
The script brings Tsypkin’s notable tales to life, including Tragic Misunderstanding, Faust, Cheshire Cat, Capsule of Truth, People of Opinion, Love for Two Kopecks, Scratch, and Russian Ecstasy. A bold feature of the production is the use of the fourth wall breaking technique, a method that invites active participation from the audience and blurs the line between performers and viewers. The concept of the fourth wall describes the imaginary barrier that typically separates the actors from the spectators, and the play deliberately engages with that boundary to create immediacy and surprise.
The project is led by director Alexander Sozonov, a graduate of the Moscow Art Theatre School under the tutelage of Kirill Serebrennikov. This staging marks his debut on the Red Torch stage, bringing a fresh interpretive voice to the theater and signaling a dynamic collaboration between a rising director and a pivotal regional troupe. Sozonov is known for his keen sense of rhythm, bold stagecraft, and his willingness to experiment with form, which in turn shapes the overall energy of the production and its reception by audiences and critics alike.
The premiere window for House, Goodbye was originally scheduled for late February, with performances that would continue into the following days. The production promises a vivid exploration of Tsypkin’s literary world, translating his sharp wit, social observations, and emotional terrains to a live, immersive experience on stage. The engagement with Tsypkin’s voice on stage offers a multi-layered narrative where the author’s perspective is threaded throughout the dramatic arc, inviting viewers to reconsider the boundaries between storytelling, performance, and the act of reading itself.
The creative approach to the staging reflects a broader trend in contemporary theater that seeks to reanimate classic literary voices through modern theatrical language. By blending textual richness with inventive staging, the production aims to resonate with diverse audiences, from longtime theatergoers to newcomers curious about how classic prose can be transformed into kinetic, interactive theater. The cast, the design team, and the crew collaborate to craft a cohesive experience that honors Tsypkin’s original storytelling while infusing it with fresh theatrical energy and contemporary sensibilities. The overall effect is intended to be both intellectually engaging and emotionally compelling, inviting audiences to reflect on memory, identity, and the power of storytelling to reveal hidden truths.