HOW THE GRUMBLER APPEARED AMONG THE NUCKIDS

05.08.2011

Merciless and relentless, deaf to requests and indifferent to others’ dreams… She is the example of a dangerous teacher. Meeting her during exams could mean expulsion from university… And, of course, such a lady would gladly put the careers of the beautiful Chicks to an end… Who is she and how to deal with her? She is Grumbler. But it’s worth learning how to deal with her…

The character of the Cerberus-like teacher (played by Marina from Seversk) appears in the third part of the musical and becomes a serious threat to the Chicks’ career. The naive girls want to perform a concert at the university where Addy (Masha from Nizhny Novgorod) works as a cleaner, but they end up at a selection with the toughest and most picky lady – Grumbler. Here they realize: consider it gone! The first thing that incites the lady judge’s holy anger is the song’s theme. “How can you sing about love when you’re 14 years old? What do you know about love?” – grumpy lady raises her hands to the sky. They don’t even get to the second reason for her displeasure: Grumbler mentally labels the Chicks as incompetent. However, why do we feel a little sorry for this fearful “schoolmarm” in a ballet tutu? Why does Grumbler evoke a smile rather than anger? Production director Alena Zakharova and actress Marina say that this character is not as simple as it seems at first glance. “Grumbler is not a bad person at all,” explains the director. “She’s just as if from another world. What kind of love at 14? For Grumbler, this feeling is like a fifth element, like higher realms, like the most precious dream, and here are some young girls….”. “Indeed, it’s a very bright and not an evil role,” Marina agrees with the director. “I understand Grumbler not as bad character (although she sends away the Chicks), but as a guardian of classical music and dance, as a guardian of culture!” “Such a role of a classic actress looks very organic when performed by Marina, who has been studying ballet and opera vocals since she was 7 years old. Her pointe work and opera singing look incredibly bright in a “mix” with a comic performance choreographed by Maxim Nedolechko for the “nuclear” girls . “It’s a very interesting role,” Marina confesses and adds with a smile, “It’s so great to play complex and unusual characters! Grumbler is not really that bad, and I think she had love… She’s just a woman with character, and won’t tolerate any pop music!” If we believe Marina, then the only way of dealing with such a character is understanding and respect! In the musical, of course, the Chicks don’t get to try this approach, but in life, this advice will be useful for all Nuckids: every university has at least one Grumbler!

By the way, today Marina will be able to fully get into her character, as one can only truly embody Grumble in all her glory by trying on the costume! Specialists from designer Igor Chapurin – Alexandra and Ella – have just brought it to NucKids along with other outfits. A ballet tutu, a formal jacket, and leggings… Yes, Grumble is indeed a very distinctive and extraordinary character! “The tutu is very beautiful!” Marina boasts about her stage costume. And it’s not just the tutu, I tell you, that deserves compliments! Rich Kid, Bugai, Tema, and the Chicks – they all look simply amazing! By now, there are only 5 days left until the musical’s premiere in Moscow…