EDINBURGH 2016: BWW Q&A - Moscow Boys

BWW speaks to the creators of Edinburgh Fringe show Moscow Boys.

What can you tell us about Moscow Boys?

Moscow Boys is a show created by Igor Orshulyak (staging director/choreographer) and Elshan Mamedov (producer) in Russia. This is an international performance everyone can find interesting.

What's the music like?

This is a music show and the music isn't parted from what's going on in the scene. It is not an illustration, but a language in which the story is told. The staging director of the show carefully chose the compositions that would reflect the sense and inner spirit of each part of the show.

If we just name the songs and the authors of the songs, not bearing the previous passage in mind, the picture would be somewhat eclectic: Alexandr Borodin - "Polovetsian Dance" from Prince Igor, Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Phantom of the Opera ("Angel of Music ", "Music of the night", "Down this murderer"), Piotr Tchaikovsky - "Valse of flowers" from The Nutcracker, The Beatles - "Girl", John Barry and Monty Norman - Theme from James Bond film From Russia with Love, Russian "Kadril'" dance, Justin Timberlake - "SexyBack", Shakira - "Objection (Tango)", Pink Floyd - "Money" and much, much more...

The idea was to make the whole more than the sum of its parts, to make an original music painting. It is like a painting - there are a lot of colours, shapes and they all form one composition with its own sense.

How has audience response been so far?

As usual, the public is puzzled for several minutes, trying to understand whether the boys are really playing or just dancing with musical instruments while the audio recording is on. It is very unusual when the artists dance, do tricks and play music simultaniously. When the puzzle is solved and the spectators understand that the show is live in motion, they start applauding and we get applause after each part - just like in ballet.

Who would you recommend comes to see Moscow Boys?

We highly recommend the show to those who seek new impressions and experience. To those who are ready for change, for this new kind of theatre, for good old music which sounds completely different. We also recommend it to those who are just curious - isn't it interesting to watch people tap dancing and playing violins in the same time? Or to watch a man with a big cello dancing? This is a show, theatre and circus. And it is fun.

What's next for Moscow Boys after Edinburgh?

After the worldwide premiere in Edinburgh we have a Russian premiere in Moscow on 16th and 17th of September on the stage of "Helicon-opera". Then we have a big Russian tour planned and of course we are considering our international options.

Timings and ticket information for Moscow Boys are available on the edfringe website.