Kostroma. Produced and directed by Elena Tsarenko. Grand International Concerts in association with Russian National Dance Kostroma. Canberra Theatre on Friday, October 24 at 7.30pm. Bookings: canberraticketing.com.au or 62752700.
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The Russian national dance show Kostroma is very much a family affair. The story began in 1991 when Elena and Yury Tsarenko started their first creative company, Russian National Dance Kostroma – the first private folk dance theatre in Russia. They passed on their passion to their children, Maria and Ivan. And now the company consists of 80 per cent married couples
And it is the Tsarenkos' daughter, Maria Veshkina, who is organising the Australian tour, a big logistical challenge, with 45 dancers, 600 costumes,and eight set changes helping to account for the eight tonnes of freight needed to bring the production here for the first time.
Hundreds of props have been made by the native peoples of Chukotka, Dagestan and Tatarstan - including Caucasus drums, the Tatar bells, mediaeval spears, banners and flags and Christian heraldic gonfalons.
Veshkina says,"Kostroma is an ancient city on the bank of the Volga River, the biggest river in central Russia ... It's a beautiful place."
And it's the vehicle for a journey through Russian history and culture on stage through music and dance, including the arrival of Christianity, the pre-revolutionary tsarist period of history and the first flight into space.
"It gives an idea of how diverse Russian culture is and how different we are even though we are still living in one country. You don't need to read any books or literature, it's all very self-explanatory."
The symbol of the show is the image of "the girl in silver", symbolising the delicate image of Kostromo filigree art. Even though no prior knowledge is needed to appreciate Kostromo, she says, seeing it might encourage audience members to learn more.
And there is certainly plenty to learn. So vast is the length and breadth of Russian history and culture that the show is sometimes updated to include sections previously omitted, which also keeps it fresh.
Veshkina began working for the company at 16, and at 19 became the director of its affiliated choreographic college The Governorate Ballet School. She graduated from the department in foreign languages from Kostroma State University and for a while worked elsewhere.
"I wanted to be independent," she says.
In 2000 she came to Australia as tour manager for the Red Army Choir.
But, she says, "I was missed by my parents - not as a daughter but as a person in the company. In our family, the company and family relationships are all interconnected. One can't be without the other."
So she returned and has been working with them ever since.