Azeri theatre is emotional, active, dynamic and romantic

VK continues publishing an interview with the professor of the State University for Culture and the Arts, the director of the Youth Theatre, Jennet Salimova. The beginning http://www.vestikavkaza.ru/articles/kultura/teatre/35670.html  
 
Many American actors dream about being cast in a Hollywood movie. What goals do Azeri actors have?

-          I must tell the truth, there is one goal, to earn money. You could hardly find an actor who refuses profitable projects in TV, the cinema, series, commercials, dubbing, doing weddings and so on and lives only on the small salary of a theatre actor.

-          Does Azeri theatre have its own school?

-          Yes, we have our own school. Though many of the staff are graduates of the Moscow school. Its influence is obvious. However, Russian audiences and our audiences demand different things from actors. Azeri people want to see more energy. Our theatre is emotional, active, dynamic and romantic.

-          How are theatre troops from Azerbaijan received in other countries?

-          In Iran we are very welcome. People like the plays we stage. Halls are usually full. We went on tour in Turkey and Russia. The only problem is the language barrier. We have no translated subtitles or earphones for translation.

-          We all play some role in real life. What is more difficult to play - a role in life or on stage?

-          A person begins to play from birth. Play is a characteristic of any living creature. The celebration of the birthday of a child is a performance with special rules. A wedding is also a performance. Even burials are theatre. When I see an actor on the stage I feel with him, I play with him.
Some people are actors by nature. They lie, pretend, flatter and cheat. However, it doesn’t mean there are only bad people in the world and theatre. Officials play with their subordinates too, for example.

-          Why did you decide to go into theatre?

-          I think the reason is the same, I like playing. I dreamt of being an actress, but for many reasons I couldn’t become one. I entered the stage direction faculty in Leningrad. A director is a person who should play every role inside.

-          There are few women theatre directors…

-          It is not so. In Azerbaijan we have Irana Tagiadze, in Russia – Galina Volchek, Nina Chusova. The profession doesn’t demand physical strength. What a director needs is organizing skills, an ability to talk to any person and keep discipline. Sometimes a woman can feel a play and explain to actors what she wants better than a man.

-          What is the most difficult performance for you?

-          Usually the most difficult performance is the one which is being staged at the moment. If it is accepted by audiences successfully, it doesn't seem to be difficult. The reaction is always unpredictable. I’m 71 years-old. And every performance is like the first one for me.

-          What are your favourite performances?

-          I have staged almost 100 plays. They are like children for me. I like my first “Uncle Vanya” by Chekhov, “The Mistress of the Inn” by Goldoni, “Mother Courage” by Brecht.

-          You’ve been the director of the Baku Chamber Theatre, which has its own troupe, repertoire and audience. Recently you’ve become the director of the Youth Theatre, which unites three theatres in one. Comment on your first steps in it.

-          It is hard but very interesting. You cannot be a teacher if you don’t love children. You cannot be a doctor if you don’t care about patients. You cannot be a director if you don’t love actors. Now I try to learn about my actors as much as possible.
 
Interview by Ramin Naziev. Exclusively to VK.