Suslova Era Vasilyevna (30 January 1925 — 20 April 2011) — actress of the Nizhny Novgorod State Academic Drama Theatre named after M. Gorky, to which she devoted half a century of stage life. People's Artist of the RSFSR, laureate of the N. I. Sobolshchikov-Samarin Prize. In the audience's memory she remains above all as the Anna Karenina of the Gorky stage.[1]

Path to the theatre

In 1943, in the wartime years, Suslova entered the studio at the Drama Theatre — while Nikolai Ivanovich Sobolshchikov-Samarin was still alive — Sobolshchikov-Samarin Nikolai Ivanovich, whose name was later given to a regional prize established in his honour.[2] Artistic director Nikolai Pokrovsky immediately entrusted the young actress with leading roles: Liza in Turgenev's "A Nest of Gentlefolk", Lidia in Ostrovsky's "Easy Money", Desdemona in Shakespeare's "Othello", Lady Hamilton in "The Admiral's Flag".[2] The director who succeeded Pokrovsky, Meer Gersht — a pupil of Tairov — found in Suslova the performer for his central productions: "Optimistic Tragedy" (the role of the Commissar), "Anna Karenina" (title role), "The Precipice" after Goncharov (Vera), "The Counterfeit Coin" (Polina).[2]

Roles and repertoire

Over the decades Suslova created characters in productions of the most varied genres and eras: "Richard III", "Jupiter Laughs", "Pillars of Society", "Hot Summer in Berlin", "A Glass of Water", "Look Who's Come", and many others.[2] In 1949 she joined the Nizhny Novgorod branch of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation.[1] Suslova performed on the theatre's stage until 1991 — almost half a century of continuous work.[1]

Titles, awards, and public activity

In 1964 Suslova was awarded the title of Honoured Artist of the RSFSR, and in 1974 that of People's Artist of the RSFSR.[1] She was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour, the medals "For Valiant Labour", "For Labour Valour", and "Veteran of Labour".[1] In 1993 the actress became a laureate of the Nizhny Novgorod Region N. I. Sobolshchikov-Samarin Prize.[1] Over the years she was elected deputy of the Regional Council of People's Deputies for three terms.[1]

Memory

Era Vasilyevna Suslova died on 20 April 2011 in her 87th year. The memorial service was held that same day in the premises of the Nizhny Novgorod Academic Drama Theatre named after M. Gorky.[1] The actress's name has been included in the theatre's gallery of memory.[3]

Sources

  1. V gorode N — Era Suslova has passed away (archive)
  2. Vremya N — People's Artist of Russia, actress of the Nizhny Novgorod Drama Theatre Era Suslova to celebrate anniversary (archive)
  3. drama.nnov.ru — Suslova Era Vasilyevna (archive)