Based on the Ukrainian vaudeville by Mykhailo Starytskyi, the famous Ukrainian writer. The leading character, Svyryd Petrovych Holokhvosty has his own barbershop in town and a reputation of a dandy. Once, after losing everything he had at cards, he decides to remedy his financial situation by a profitable marriage. A rich but ugly girl named Pronia Sirko falls for the illustrious suitor’s courtship...
Acting
Oleg Borisov's theatrical con-man energy
Production
Lush 1910s Ukrainian period detail
Writing
Starytskyi's razor-sharp vaudeville wit
Director
Viktor Ivanov
Oleg Borisov
Svyryd Petrovych Holokhvosty
Margarita Krinitsyna
Pronia Prokopivna Sirko
Mykola Yakovchenko
Prokip Sirko
Anna Kushnirenko
Yavdokha Sirko
Nonna Koperzhynska
Sekleta Lymerykha
Nataliia Naum
Halia
Anatolii Yurchenko
Stepan
Konstantin Ershov
Pliashka
Taisiya Lytvynenko
Khymka
Vyacheslav Voronin
young man
Lyudmyla Alfimova
nun Mironiia
Olga Viklandt
Mademoiselle Ninon
Mykola Talyura
musician
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Margarita Krinitsyna was only 26 playing homely Pronia; the makeup team worked miracles. She became iconic for the role.
This 1961 adaptation revived Starytskyi's 1883 play when Soviet Ukrainian identity needed subtle celebration. The Kyiv locations are now UNESCO heritage.
SU
