Balakirev the Buffoon

Balakirev The Buffoon (Russian: Шут Балакирев) is a 2002 Russian televised version of 1999 Lenkom theatrical presentation, written by Grigori Gorin. Theatrical version directed by Mark Zakharov, televised version by Nikolay Skuyibin.

Plot summary

Buffoon of the court circle, Ivan Balakirev, is a constant participant of the Tzar's festivities and buffoonery. Under the will of the circumstances he was drawn into the intricate relations inside the court and inside the royal family...

Cast

Oleg Yankovsky, Alexander Lazarev jr. as Peter The Great

Sergey Frolov as Ivan Balakirev

Aleksandra Zakharova, Maria Mironova as Catherine I of Russia

Alexander Lazarev jr. as Willem Mons

Aleksandr Zbruyev as Count Yaguzhinskii, chief prosecutor

Nikolai Karachentsov, Viktor Rakov as Alexander Menshikov

Olesya Zheleznyak as Dunya Burykina

Yuri Kolychev as Peter Shafirov

Tatyana Kravchenko as Anisya Kirillovna Balakireva

Ludmila Artemyeva as Darya Burykina

Ludmila Porgyna as Golovkina, chamber-maid

Igor Fokin as Shapsky, chief jester

Balakirev in reality

Based on a real story set time in a Peter The Great era.

Ivan Alexandrovich Balakirev was a trusted servant of Peter I and Catherine I since 1699. In the time of the empress Anne he became an official court buffoon.

One of the version around the Balakirev surname etymology is that it formed from Bala kire, a tatar for stubborn kid.

Xenofont Polevoy published a book entitled Collection of anecdotes by Balakirev, using the real name of Ivan Balakirev as his pseudonym. It's in fact a collection from various people and sources.

Contents

Plot summary

Cast

Balakirev in reality

References