A conversation with actor Viktor Dobronravov reveals a shared creative bond with the late director Rimas Tuminas. The director reportedly believed that Tuminas would cast him in any part, a sentiment Dobronravov recalls with reverence for the artistic kinship they enjoyed.
Dobronravov notes that some directors may request iconic roles like Uncle Vanya or Hamlet, but he emphasizes that he would have accepted such challenges for Tuminas because working with him was consistently engaging and worthwhile.
Rimas Tuminas, a noted Soviet and Lithuanian director who once guided the Vakhtangov Theatre, died on March 6 at the age of 72. He had been battling lung cancer since 2014, and doctors attributed the tragedy to a ruptured blood clot. [citation]
Recent reports from the Shot Telegram channel claim that Viktor Dobronravov’s father is actor Fyodor Dobronravov. The report also stated that all performances scheduled through January 2025 were cancelled as the artist begins an extended rehabilitation following surgery. It was reported that on February 28, he sought hospital care for neck and spine pain, as well as difficulty swallowing. [citation]
Earlier coverage referenced why Leontyev chose to step back from the stage. [citation]