A passionate drama about the wife of Leo Tolstoy, Sofya Andreevna, in the months leading up to his death.
Marius Ivaškevičius's play delves into the tumultuous final months of Leo Tolstoy's life, focusing not on the literary giant himself, but on the fiery and all-consuming love of his wife, Sofya Andreevna. Her character, infused with traits of Tolstoy's famous heroines like Anna Karenina, becomes the central axis of a drama exploring the destructive power of love and the complexities of living with a genius. The play also introduces Chertkov, a real historical figure who became Tolstoy's confidant and, ultimately, a catalyst for familial discord. Director Oskaras Koršunovas frames the narrative against the backdrop of cultural stereotypes, illusions, and the myth of Russian genius, all crushed by the relentless march of history. The production, originally staged in 2018, has gained new layers of meaning and controversy in light of recent geopolitical events, offering a multi-layered exploration of creativity, real life, femininity, and the political themes that resonate with contemporary Europe's rising radical right.