The Tinchurin Theater premiered a play that tells the story of how Karim Tinchurin saved the Tatar theater troupe from hunger and typhus, and how dreams and creativity inspire people to move forward.

Yesterday, the premiere of the play “One step closer to a dream” took place at the Karim Tinchurin Theater. Directed by Tufan Imamutdinov and based on a work by Rustem Galiullin (translated into Russian by Gulnaz Badretdin), the play featured Artem Piskunov, laureate of the Musa Jalil Republican Prize, in the role of Karim Tinchurin (an extensive interview with him was published in our November 2022 issue).

This production is a must-see for anyone who loves theater – not just Tatar theater, but the art of storytelling itself. It explores how faith in a brighter future, the power of art, and the belief that each of us has a higher purpose can help us live, dream, and move forward.

The play is set in 1921 and follows the Tatar theater troupe, led by Karim Tinchurin, as they travel by train from Orenburg to Tashkent during a time of great hardship, searching for a better future. Along the way, facing hunger, uncertainty, and fear, they find solace and strength amid their hardships by rehearsing the play “One step closer to a dream” right in their train car.

Although the play is inspired by real events, its creators emphasize that they did not aim to produce a documentary. Instead, it is described as a “fantasy on a theme”. At one point, Rabit Batulla wrote a book based on the memoirs of Karim Tinchurin’s wife, Zagida, who accompanied him on this challenging journey. “One step closer to a dream” creatively imagines what might have unfolded in the railcar, abandoned on a side track in the middle of the steppe.

“Dreams drive people. The stage inspires an actor… I can save the troupe only with a new production, and I can keep them engaged only through rehearsals”, says Karim Tinchurin to Zagida in the play. These words reveal the playwright’s relentless dedication, as he spends sleepless nights creating new works. At first, Tinchurin’s character may seem idealized, but in the second act, he is shown in a more relatable light, bringing him closer to the audience – though only briefly. Once again, he rises tall as a leader, director, and visionary. This portrayal is fitting, given his immense significance not only to the theater that bears his name but also to Tatar theater as a whole. As noted during the press conference before the premiere, the Kamal Theater was originally intended to bear Tinchurin’s name, but at the time, any mention of him was strictly prohibited.

The role of Zagida Tinchurina, played by Lilia Kamalieva, is equally compelling. Her character – a gentle, caring wife – takes on the mantle of leader and savior at a critical moment. This brings to mind Bernard Shaw’s words: “Behind every great man is a woman who believed in him”. The importance of women is subtly highlighted throughout the production.

The Tinchurin Theater actors, in many ways, play versions of themselves – actors living a century ago. Each of them creates a vivid and unique character, with their own role and fate. The play also addresses an important and sometimes painful issue for actors: the distribution of roles. Some always play the leads, while others remain in supporting roles. And inevitably, a younger actor eventually replaces the leading star.

Despite its dramatic themes, the play also finds room for humor.

The production is brought to life by Ilyas Kamal’s moving music, innovative lighting, versatile set designs that transform to serve multiple purposes, costumes, and choreography. Together, they create a cohesive story – a hymn to humanity’s triumph over adversity.

The play lights a spark of hope within the soul, a reminder that no matter what, everything will be fine. That each person’s life is meaningful, and it is always worth pursuing a dream. On the eve of the New Year, these reflections feel especially profound.

Source: kazan-journal.ru