Anatoly Efros, Honored Artist of the RSFSR - a significant name in Russian theater directing. A follower of Stanislavsky, he created his own theater school, became an innovator in the science of acting
Anatoly was born in 1925 in Kharkov, in the family of an engineer and translator. He grew up an ordinary boy, although he was distinguished by his interest in the theater and everything that was connected with it.
During the war, the Efros family was evacuated to Perm, where the Mossovet Theater moved. Then Anatoly decided to enter the studio of this theater. It was interesting here, but he felt a need for directing, and soon he entered GITIS, directing courses.
Director's career
The debut of the young director Efros took place in 1951 - it was the play "Prague remains mine." Then follows the second production - "Come to Zvonkovoy". Both performances by critics were considered successful, and the public liked them. A little later Anatoly Efros was sent to Ryazan, in the local drama theater, to the post of director. He worked there for two years and returned to Moscow again.
Here he is accepted as a director at the Central Children's Theater, led by Maria Knebel, a former teacher of Anatolia. She completely trusted him, and under Efros the theater flourished. He staged great performances for teenagers based on plays by Alexander Khmelik and Victor Rozov.
At that time, Oleg Efremov, Lev Durov, Oleg Tabakov played in the Central House of Sports. They played performances on topical issues, and the audience accepted them with enthusiasm, loved for novelty and sincerity.
In 1963, Efros became the director of the Lenin Komsomol Theater, and a creative youth team gathered there. Future theater and film stars work with him: Valentin Gaft, Alexander Zbruev, Anna Dmitrieva, Mikhail Derzhavin, Lev Durov, Alexander Shirvindt, Olga Yakovleva. They are happy to stage and play plays by modern playwrights and classics.
In 1966, a black streak began in Efros's life: his production of The Seagulls was declared unsuccessful, and the performance was banned. Anatoly Vasilievich goes to the Theater on Malaya Bronnaya, however, here the production of “Three Sisters” fails, the performance is also prohibited. The play "Seducer Kolobashkin" based on Radzinsky’s play was also sharply criticized. And only at the classical repertoire could he finally rehabilitate himself.
In the late 60s, critics talked about a new direction in theater directing, about the Efros school, about his directorial phenomenon. At that time, his performances "Romeo and Juliet", "A Month in the Village", "Marriage", "Othello", two different performances of "Don Giovanni" were released.
The director himself becomes a teacher of GITIS and publishes his books: "Rehearsal - my love", "Continuation of theatrical story", "Profession: director", "Book Four." In them, Efros described his biography, and also shared his stage finds and director's experience.
In the late 70s, a new professional crisis occurred in the life of Efros, and he was transferred to the Taganka Theater. Here the director was received so cool that he could not establish contact with the troupe. In this environment, he worked for many years. And largely due to such a nervous situation, he undermined his health.
In 1987, Anatoly Efros passed away, was buried in the Kuntsevo cemetery.
