The culture of the Russian Empire organically absorbed the traditions and rituals of small peoples. This feature persisted in the Soviet period as well. Actor and director Ruben Simonov became one of the founders of a new direction in theatrical art.
Choice of profession
For some time now, Moscow began to be called the third Rome. The capital of our country was originally formed and developed as a multinational conglomeration. From all parts of the vast territory, people came, came and sailed to this point, speaking in different languages. Some were looking for work here, others for protection, and others offered entertainment. Here they settled down, settled down and left offspring. Ruben Nikolaevich Simonov was born on April 2, 1899 in a wealthy Armenian family. Parents lived in the city center on Rozhdestvenka Street.
My father moved to Moscow, where he was invited by his older brother, and began working as a manager in a company that traded in fabrics and carpets. At the same time he opened his own wine shop on Kuznetsky Most. His relatives from Vladikavkaz supplied him with home-made wine. Actors of the Bolshoi and Maly theaters regularly dropped in to the shop. They drank, had fun, sang songs, were swaggering. Ruben had the opportunity to watch such "performances". After a short period of time, the outlet had to be closed due to systematic losses.
The boy's mother, a graduate of the Vladikavkaz gymnasium, played the piano well and was familiar with some theatrical actresses. It is interesting to note that the families of the Simonovs and Vakhtangovs were well acquainted and maintained friendly relations. When the age approached, Ruben was sent to the gymnasium at the Institute of Oriental Languages. The Armenian language was taught here without fail. The boy had serious difficulties with this subject. At home, everyone spoke Russian. After much hesitation, Simonov was transferred to an ordinary gymnasium, where he received his secondary education.
In 1918 Simonov entered the Law Department of Moscow University. Already in the first semester, he realized that studying law for him is worse than a bitter radish. It was during this period that he accidentally met Yevgeny Vakhtangov, who was in charge of the Student Drama Studio. Ruben dropped out of university and went into the studio as an actor. At first, he was involved in performances on the sidelines. And three months later, Simonov began to trust the main roles. In 1921, the Student Theater was transformed into the 3rd studio of the Moscow Art Theater.
Administrative activities
After a short illness, in the fall of 1922, the main director of the Third Studio of the Moscow Art Theater, Yevgeny Vakhtangov, died. At the request of the labor collective, the studio was renamed the Vakhtangov Moscow Drama Theater. For almost three years the theater was under collective management. After that, the actors and technical workers decided to elect Ruben Simonov as director. There were good reasons for this decision. The actor not only played leading roles in the performances "The Miracle of St. Anthony", "Princess Turandot", "Wedding", but also helped to solve organizational issues.
The formation of the famous theater was not without difficulties. The chief director had to not only form the repertoire, but also strictly adhere to the ideological orientation. For some time Simonov collaborated with the famous director Vsevolod Meyerhold. In the mid-thirties, the recognized leader among theatrical figures was repressed and shot. Ruben Nikolaevich, as they say, was spared by fate. But the outbreak of the war brought new problems and concerns. The theater troupe had to be evacuated to the Siberian city of Omsk.
Director's projects
It is important to note that the creative process did not stop during the evacuation. In the middle of the war, residents of Omsk saw the play "Front" on the stage of the local theater. Actors not involved in the performances regularly performed in schools, hospitals and in front of soldiers who were sent to the active army. After the victory, the troupe returned to its original place. The theater building was renovated. And all the actors with great enthusiasm joined the usual rhythm of hard work. Ruben Nikolayevich managed to engage in directing and solve other equally important issues.
Critics, evaluating Simonov's directorial techniques, noted that he was able to find a romantic component in everyday affairs. And vice versa, to the most lofty and pretentious aspirations, to give life pragmatism. Confident in his own abilities, Ruben Nikolaevich undertook to stage classical works. At the box offices, sold out houses were displayed when "Talents and admirers", "Dowry", "Children of the Sun" were played on the stage. At the same time, Simonov trusted the directors of the new generation and almost did not interfere in their projects.
Recognition and privacy
Ruben Simonov's creative and administrative career was successful. For his great contribution to the development of national culture, he was awarded the highest state awards and prizes. The People's Artist of the USSR wears three Orders of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner of Labor, many medals and commemorative signs.
Everything is known about the personal life of the famous director. Ruben Nikolaevich was married twice. The first wife died before she was fifty. The husband and wife raised and raised their son Eugene, who followed in the footsteps of his father. The grandson and granddaughter are also actors. The rest of his life, the director lived under the same roof with Svetlana Dzhimbinova. Ruben Simonov died in December 1968. Buried at the Novodevichy cemetery.
