Notes of a Madman

“Diary of a Madman, or Sonata for Piano and Cello” Age limit: 18+ Author: N. Gogol, A. Schnittke Stage director: Jannat Salimova (People’s Artist) Genre: psychological drama Performer (solo performance): Shovgi Huseynov (Honored Artist) Duration of the performance: 50 minutes In this work, the authors, although in an imaginary form, speak about steps taken to eliminate social inequality among people. The performance of the same name, included in the current repertoire of the National Youth Theatre, is embodied precisely on this idea. An unknown clerk, Poprishchin, decides to eliminate social injustice by marrying the daughter of his superior, who is far above him in rank. In his imaginary world, he transforms into the King of Spain, a luminous figure who governs the world. Poprishchin hears the voice of his long-deceased mother. However, this voice cannot save the soul of his sick being, because the people of the world he lives in cannot hear him either. Through this, the authors want to say that although there may not be legal equality among people, it is important to expect humanistic equality and to support one another. A highly talented performer, laureate of numerous international festivals, and master of solo performance, Honored Artist Shovgi Huseynov conveys the full psychophysiological reality of Poprishchin with realistic expressive detail. It is for this reason that “Diary of a Madman, or Sonata for Piano and Cello” has remained in the repertoire for more than 30 years as a favorite performance of audiences.