Until November 30, 2025, the Volkonsky House exhibition hall at the Yasnaya Polyana Museum is hosting an exhibition of the Ulyanovsk Regional Museum of Local Lore named after I. A. Goncharov entitled “The Theatrical Life of ‘An Ordinary Story.’” The project explores the history of stage productions of Ivan Goncharov’s novel of the same name.
The novel An Ordinary Story was first published in 1847 and almost immediately established its author among the foremost Russian writers. The critic Vissarion Belinsky wrote: “Goncharov’s story created a sensation in Petersburg—a success unheard of! All opinions merged in its favor. <…> Truly, a remarkable talent.”
Despite its great popularity with readers, the story of a young nobleman who sets off to conquer the capital did not immediately find its way to the stage. The theatrical life of An Ordinary Story began only a century later. The classic and most famous production was staged at the Sovremennik Theatre in 1966 by Galina Volchek, with the adaptation written by one of the leading Soviet playwrights, Viktor Rozov. In subsequent years, dozens of Russian and foreign theaters added An Ordinary Story to their repertoires.
The exhibition traces the chronology of stage productions of An Ordinary Story—from the earliest attempts to modern interpretations. On display are replicas of items from the collections of the Ulyanovsk Regional Museum of Local Lore: posters, playbills, brochures, costume sketches, and photographs from performances. The exhibits highlight the rich theatrical history of Goncharov’s novel, showcasing unique stage versions and memorable performers.
The display is complemented by items from the non-memorial and rare book collections of the Yasnaya Polyana Museum: a medal commemorating the 175th anniversary of Ivan Goncharov’s birth, portraits of the writer, and editions of his works.
Reference:
Ivan Goncharov and Leo Tolstoy became personally acquainted in St. Petersburg in 1855. During that period, the writers met repeatedly and held long discussions on literary and social topics. Goncharov highly valued Tolstoy’s talent, and after the publication of the first parts of War and Peace, he called Tolstoy “the true lion of literature.” Tolstoy, in turn, praised the exemplary language of Goncharov’s works, calling it genuinely graceful in its simplicity.
The novel An Ordinary Story was first published in 1847 and almost immediately established its author among the foremost Russian writers. The critic Vissarion Belinsky wrote: “Goncharov’s story created a sensation in Petersburg—a success unheard of! All opinions merged in its favor. <…> Truly, a remarkable talent.”
Despite its great popularity with readers, the story of a young nobleman who sets off to conquer the capital did not immediately find its way to the stage. The theatrical life of An Ordinary Story began only a century later. The classic and most famous production was staged at the Sovremennik Theatre in 1966 by Galina Volchek, with the adaptation written by one of the leading Soviet playwrights, Viktor Rozov. In subsequent years, dozens of Russian and foreign theaters added An Ordinary Story to their repertoires.
The exhibition traces the chronology of stage productions of An Ordinary Story—from the earliest attempts to modern interpretations. On display are replicas of items from the collections of the Ulyanovsk Regional Museum of Local Lore: posters, playbills, brochures, costume sketches, and photographs from performances. The exhibits highlight the rich theatrical history of Goncharov’s novel, showcasing unique stage versions and memorable performers.
The display is complemented by items from the non-memorial and rare book collections of the Yasnaya Polyana Museum: a medal commemorating the 175th anniversary of Ivan Goncharov’s birth, portraits of the writer, and editions of his works.
Reference:
Ivan Goncharov and Leo Tolstoy became personally acquainted in St. Petersburg in 1855. During that period, the writers met repeatedly and held long discussions on literary and social topics. Goncharov highly valued Tolstoy’s talent, and after the publication of the first parts of War and Peace, he called Tolstoy “the true lion of literature.” Tolstoy, in turn, praised the exemplary language of Goncharov’s works, calling it genuinely graceful in its simplicity.