Everyone who had even the slightest relation to the theater knew and spoke about the genius and authority of this renowned director. Tovstonogov was distinguished by a lack of craving for a wasteful lifestyle, as well as a love of books and good cigarettes. The famous director realized his most important dream - a Mercedes car - only at the end of his life.
Director with a capital letter
Georgy Alexandrovich was born in St. Petersburg. According to the recollections of his younger sister Natella, he did not live there for long - at the beginning of the October Revolution, the family moved to Tbilisi. In Georgia, George was sent directly to the fifth grade of a German school. At the age of 15, the future director has already received a school certificate and entered the railway institute. Tovstonogov did not study there for long - a year later he left to enter GITIS. Already at that time, 16-year-old George was not stopped by any difficulties: neither categorical protests from his parents, nor his young age. In the 5th year, the future head of the BDT had a hard time: because of his father, who was declared a Japanese spy in his homeland, Tovstonogov almost forever said goodbye to his alma mater. Fortunately, by order of Georgy Tovstonogov, he was quickly rehabilitated and he successfully completed his studies.
In the troupe of the BDT, Georgy Alexandrovich immediately showed his tough temper and an insatiable desire to work hard. Thanks to his unique organizational skills, Tovstonogov managed to assemble a dynamic, vibrant troupe. His family had a significant influence on the formation of Tovstonogov's views and principles - any changes in the troupe were vigorously discussed in the home circle until 3-4 o'clock in the morning.
Out of career and theater
The personal life of Georgy Alexandrovich was not so successful. After marrying the famous Georgian actress Salome Kancheli and giving birth to two children, a divorce followed due to his wife's infidelity. Subsequent attempts to start a family turned out to be unsuccessful for the director of the BDT. Tovstonogov also had his own weaknesses. In his lifetime, the great director had to go through difficult periods associated with lack of money and harsh life, and therefore, during the years of his professional peak, Georgy Alexandrovich made up for these deprivations with love for good, expensive things. An elegant wardrobe, his own dacha, a prestigious foreign car - the famous director managed to enjoy all this, but at the end of his years.
Tovstonogov had heart problems. Georgy Alexandrovich constantly refused the operation, citing the difficult nature of the rehabilitation period. Death overtook the great director in his beloved Mercedes. On that day, Tovstonogov was returning home after watching a performance, which tired him in no small measure. The car stopped near one of the central squares of St. Petersburg. The BDT director's heart was no longer pounding when a traffic police outfit arrived at the Mercedes.
The director's work has left a high level of quality for the most famous St. Petersburg theater.
