The history of the creation of the work is bitter at the bottom. A modern interpretation of M. Gorky's play "At the Lower Depths"

22.04.2019

January 25, 2014

Every playwright dreams of creating a play that would appeal not only to contemporaries, but also to future generations. Only a work that carries some meaning, teaches something, reveals the unpleasant sides of society, and solves the problem can remain relevant for many decades. social problems. The play “At the Lower Depths” belongs to precisely such works.

History of drama writing

Maxim Gorky's work “At the Depths” was published in 1902. It was written specifically for the troupe of the Moscow Art Public Theater. This play has a very difficult fate: it survived bans and censorship, and for so many years the debate about it has not ceased. ideological content, artistic originality. The drama was praised and criticized, but no one was indifferent to it. The creation of the play “At the Bottom” was labor-intensive; the writer began work on it in 1900, and finished it only two years later.

Gorky paid attention to dramaturgy at the beginning of the twentieth century. It was then that he shared with Stanislavsky his idea to create a tramp play, in which there would be about two dozen characters. The author himself did not know what would come of it; he did not count on great success; he characterized his work as unsuccessful, with a weak plot, and outdated.

The main characters of the drama

The history of the creation of the play “At the Bottom” is quite prosaic. Maxim Gorky wanted to talk about his observations of the lower world. The writer included among the “former people” not only the inhabitants of the shelters, proletarians and wanderers, but also representatives of the intelligentsia who were disillusioned with life and suffered failures. There were also real prototypes main characters.

Thus, the history of the creation of the play “At the Lower Depths” tells that the writer created the image of Bubnov by combining the characters of a tramp he knew and his intellectual teacher. Gorky copied the actor from the artist Kolosovsky-Sokolovsky, and the image of Nastya was borrowed from the stories of Claudia Gross.

Video on the topic

Fight against censorship

A lot of time had to be spent on obtaining permission to stage the play. The author defended every line of the characters, every line of his creation. Eventually permission was given, but only for Art Theater. The history of the creation of the play “At the Lower Depths” was not easy, Gorky himself did not believe in his success, and the authorities allowed the production, hoping for a resounding failure. But everything turned out exactly the opposite: the play had resounding success, dedicated to her great amount publications in newspapers, the author was repeatedly called to the stage, giving him a standing ovation.

The history of the creation of the play “At the Lower Depths” is notable for the fact that Gorky did not immediately decide on its name. The drama had already been written, but the author had not decided what to call it. Among known variants featured the following: “Without the Sun”, “In the Shelter House”, “At the Bottom of Life”, “Nochlezhka”, “The Bottom”. Only in the 90s of the twentieth century was a play called “At the Depths” staged in one of the Moscow theaters. Be that as it may, the drama was well received by the audience not only in Russia, but also abroad. In 1903, the play premiered in Berlin. The drama was performed 300 times in a row, which indicates an unprecedented success.

Source: fb.ru

Current

Gorky’s play “At the Depths,” which he wrote in 1902, did not have an easy fate, but a happy one. Every author dreams of such a fate for his brainchild, because this play is still not out of print. theatrical stage. They put it best directors, this piece is being played best actors. They wrote about the play outstanding writers. The drama was praised and criticized, it was praised and responded unflatteringly, but no one was indifferent to this work.

Gorky came up with the idea of creating “At the Lower Depths” back in 1900. At this time, he talked about his work to Stanislavsky, and in 1901 he shared his ideas about writing four plays with the head of “Knowledge” - Pyatnitsky. In the same year, the author began writing his masterpiece. He finished his work in 1902. The author based his work on his observations of the world of the “lower strata of the population,” the world of people who “fell to the very bottom.” Gorky asks the questions: Why do people find themselves at the very bottom? Who are they? Are these people with their own dreams and views or fiends from hell? Whose fault is it that their life is not successful? Is it possible to escape from such a life and is it possible to return from the bottom?

Main characters At the bottom

The main characters are “former people,” to whom the author included wanderers, those who lived in shelters and even the intelligentsia, those people who suffered a fiasco in their lives, gave up, and became disillusioned with their existence. The heroes of the play, although they live in the same shelter, each have their own painful problems, their own views and problems, their own dreams, hopes, illusions. Life in a shelter is depicted vividly, with all the ensuing consequences. Here you will find fights, quarrels, and scandals. What is most interesting is that many of the characters in the play are real images of people who were taken from life.

Fight against censorship

The play has been written and is ready to be staged, but the stumbling block was theatrical censorship. At first it was completely banned, and the text itself was distorted by censorship. The play was corrected, unnecessary things were removed, rude expressions were eliminated, and discussions on religious topics were cut out. But this course of events did not suit Gorky. He began the fight against censorship. Went to Saint Petersburg, to defend his play, every phrase of it, and he managed to obtain permission to stage the play by the Moscow Art Theater.
In general, no one believed in the success of “At the Depths,” not even the author himself. She was predicted to fail, but the opposite happened. The play was very popular and brought success to its author. She was transferred to different languages, put in different theaters world, moreover, the production of Gorky’s play can still be seen in various modern theaters.

Every playwright dreams of creating a play that would appeal not only to contemporaries, but also to future generations. Only a work that carries some meaning, teaches something, reveals the unpleasant sides of society, and solves problems can remain relevant for many decades. The play “At the Bottom” belongs to such works.

History of drama writing

Maxim Gorky's work “At the Depths” was published in 1902. It was written specifically for the troupe of the Moscow Art Public Theater. This play has a very difficult fate: it has survived bans and censorship, and for so many years debates about its ideological content and artistic originality have not ceased. The drama was praised and criticized, but no one was indifferent to it. The creation of the play “At the Bottom” was labor-intensive; the writer began work on it in 1900, and finished it only two years later.

The main characters of the drama

Thus, the history of the creation of the play “At the Lower Depths” tells that the writer created the image of Bubnov by combining the characters of a tramp he knew and his intellectual teacher. copied from the artist Kolosovsky-Sokolovsky, and the image of Nastya was borrowed from the stories of Claudia Gross.

Fight against censorship

A lot of time had to be spent on obtaining permission to stage the play. The author defended every line of the characters, every line of his creation. In the end, permission was given, but only for the Art Theater. The history of the creation of the play “At the Lower Depths” was not easy, Gorky himself did not believe in his success, and the authorities allowed the production, hoping for a resounding failure. But everything turned out exactly the opposite: the play was a resounding success, a huge number of publications in newspapers were dedicated to it, the author was repeatedly called to the stage, giving him a standing ovation.

The history of the creation of the play “At the Lower Depths” is notable for the fact that Gorky did not immediately decide on its name. The drama had already been written, but the author had not decided what to call it. Among the well-known options were the following: “Without the sun”, “In a shelter”, “At the bottom of life”, “Nochlezhka”, “Bottom”. Only in the 90s of the twentieth century was a play called “At the Depths” staged in one of the Moscow theaters. Be that as it may, the drama was well received by the audience not only in Russia, but also abroad. In 1903, the play premiered in Berlin. The drama was performed 300 times in a row, which indicates an unprecedented success.

I dedicate Konstantin Petrovich Pyatnitsky

M. Gorky

Characters:

Mikhail Ivanov Kostylev, 54 years old, hostel owner. Vasilisa Karpovna, his wife, 26 years old. Natasha, her sister, 20 years old. Medvedev, their uncle, policeman, 50 years old. Vaska Pepel, 28 years old. Klesch Andrey Mitrich, mechanic, 40 years old. Anna, his wife, 30 years old. Nastya, girl, 24 years old. Kvashnya, dumpling seller, about 40 years old. Bubnov, cap maker, 45 years old. Baron, 33 years old.

Satin Actor

approximately the same age: about 40 years old.

Luke, wanderer, 60 years old. Alyoshka, shoemaker, 20 years old.

Crooked goiter Tatar

hook makers

A few tramps without names or speeches.

Act one

A cave-like basement. The ceiling is heavy, stone vaults, smoked, with crumbling plaster. Light from the viewer and, from top to bottom, from a square window with right side. The right corner is occupied by Ash’s room, fenced off by thin partitions, near the door to this room - Bubnov’s bunk. In the left corner there is a large Russian stove; in the left stone wall there is a door to the kitchen where Kvashnya, Baron, Nastya live. Between the stove and the door against the wall there is a wide bed covered with a dirty chintz curtain. There are bunks everywhere along the walls. On foreground near the left wall there is a stump of wood with a vice and a small anvil attached to it, and another, lower than the first. On the last one, in front of the anvil, sits Tick, trying on keys to old locks. At his feet are two large bunches of different keys, mounted on wire rings, a damaged samovar made of tin, a hammer, and filings. In the middle of the shelter there is a large table, two benches, a stool, everything is unpainted and dirty. At the table, by the samovar, Kvashnya is in charge, the Baron is chewing black bread, and Nastya is on a stool, reading a tattered book, leaning on the table. Anna is coughing on the bed, covered with a canopy. Bubnov, sitting on his bunk, tries on old, torn trousers on a hat blank, clamped in his knees, figuring out how to cut them. Near it are tattered cardboard from under a hat for visors, pieces of oilcloth, rags. Satin has just woken up, lies on the bunk and growls. On the stove, invisible, the Actor is fiddling and coughing.

The beginning of spring. Morning.

Baron. Further! Kvashnya. No, I say, darling, get away from me with this. I say, I experienced it... and now I won’t walk down the aisle for a hundred baked crayfish! Bubnov (to Satin).

Why are you grunting?

Satin growls. Kvashnya. So that I, I say, am a free woman, my own mistress, and fit into someone’s passport, so that I give myself to a man in a fortress no! Even if he were an American prince, I wouldn’t think of marrying him. Tick. You're lying! Kvashnya. Wha-oh? Tick. You're lying! Get married to Abramka... Baron(grabs the book from Nastya and reads the title). “Fatal love”... (Laughs.) Nastya(extending his hand).

Give...give it! Well... don't spoil it!

The Baron looks at her, waving the book in the air. Tick. You're lying! Get married to Abramka... Kvashnya (Tick). You're a red goat! You're lying there! How dare you say such a bold word to me? “Fatal love”... (Laughs.) (hitting Nastya on the head with a book). You're a fool, Nastya... (takes away the book). Give... Tick. Shut up, old dog! It's none of your business... Kvashnya. Ahh! You can't stand the truth! Baron. Began! Nastya where are you? “Fatal love”... (Laughs.) (without raising his head). Eh?.. Go away! Anna (poking his head out from behind the curtain). The day has begun! For God's sake... don't shout... don't swear! Tick. I started whining! Anna . Every single day... let me at least die in peace! Bubnov. The noise of death is not a hindrance... Kvashnya (approaching Anna). And how did you, my mother, live with such evil? Anna . Leave... leave me alone... Kvashnya. Oh well! Eh... you're so patient!.. Isn't your chest feeling lighter? Baron. Kvashnya! Time to go to the market... Kvashnya. Let's go now! (To Anna.) Do you want some hot lady dumplings? Anna . No need... thanks! Why should I eat? Kvashnya. And you eat. Hot softens. I’ll put it in your cup and leave it... whenever you want, eat it! Let's go, master... (I tick.) Uh, unclean spirit... (He goes into the kitchen.) Tick. You're lying! Get married to Abramka... Anna (coughing). God... (quietly pushes Nastya in the back of the head).

Come on... you fool!

Nastya (mumbling). Go away... I'm not bothering you. The Baron, whistling, goes after Kvashnya. Satin (rising up on the bunk). Who beat me yesterday? Bubnov. Do you care?.. Satin. Let's put it this way... Why were they beaten? Bubnov. Did you play cards? Satin. Played... Bubnov. That's why they beat me... Satin. M-bastards... Actor (poking his head out of the stove). One day you will be completely killed... to death... Satin. And you are a fool. Actor. Why? Satin. Because you can't kill twice. Actor (after a pause). I don’t understand... why not? Tick. You're lying! Get married to Abramka... Tick. And you get off the stove and clean the apartment... why are you basking? Actor. This is none of your business... Tick. But Vasilisa will come, she will show you whose business it is... Actor. To hell with Vasilisa! Today it's the baron's turn to clean up... Baron! (leaving the kitchen). I don’t have time to clean up... I’m going to the market with Kvashnya. Actor. This doesn’t concern me... at least go to hard labor... and it’s your turn to take revenge... I won’t work for others... Baron. Well, to hell with you! The wall will sweep... Hey, you, fatal love ! Wake up! (Takes the book from Nastya.) Nastya (getting up). What do you need? Give it to me! Mischievous! And also master... Baron (giving the book). Tick. You're lying! Get married to Abramka... Nastya! Sweep the floor for me, okay? Nastya (going into the kitchen). It’s very necessary... of course! Kvashnya (He goes out into the vestibule, letting Baron go ahead of him.) Actor (getting off the stove). It's harmful for me to breathe dust. (With pride.) My body is poisoned by alcohol... (Thinks while sitting on the bunk.) Satin. Organism... organon... Anna . Andrey Mitrich... Tick. What else? Anna . Kvashnya left me dumplings there... take it and eat it. Tick (approaching her). And you won't? Anna . I don’t want... What do I need to eat? You are a worker... you need... Tick. Are you afraid? Don't be afraid... maybe more... Satin. Played... Anna . Go eat! It’s hard for me... apparently, soon... Tick (moving away). Nothing... maybe you'll get up... it happens! (Goes into the kitchen.) (loudly, as if suddenly waking up). Yesterday, at the hospital, the doctor told me: your body, he says, is completely poisoned by alcohol... Satin. Played... Satin (smiling). Organon... Actor (persistently). Not an organon, but an or-ga-ni-zm... Satin. Sicambre... (waves his hand at him). Eh, nonsense! I'm saying seriously... yes. If the body is poisoned... it means it is harmful for me to sweep the floor... breathe in dust... Satin. Macrobiotics... ha! Bubnov. Why are you muttering? Satin. Words... And then there is trans-scedental... Bubnov. What's this? Satin. I don't know... I forgot... Bubnov. Why are you talking? Tick. And you get off the stove and clean the apartment... why are you basking? Satin. So... I'm tired, brother, of all human words... all our words are tired! I have heard each of them... probably a thousand times... Actor. In the drama “Hamlet” they say: “Words, words, words!” A good thing... I played a gravedigger in it...

Mite

Are you going to play with a broom soon? Actor. None of your business... (Hits himself in the chest with his hand.) "Ophelia! Oh... remember me in your prayers!..” Behind the stage, somewhere far away, there is a dull noise, screams, a policeman's whistle. The tick sits down to work and creaks with his file. Satin. I love incomprehensible, rare words... When I was a boy... I served in the telegraph office... I read a lot of books... Bubnov. Were you also a telegraph operator? Satin. Was... (Grinning.) There is very good books ... and many interesting words... I was educated person ... You know? Bubnov. I've heard it... a hundred times! Well, he was... how important!.. I was a furrier... I had my own establishment... My hands were so yellow from paint: I tinted the furs, so, brother, my hands were yellow up to the elbows ! I already thought that I wouldn’t wash it until I die... so I’ll die with yellow hands... And now here they are, my hands... just dirty... yes! Satin. Played... Satin. So what? Education is nonsense, the main thing is talent. I knew the artist... he read the roles according to the rules, but could play the characters in such a way that... the theater crackled and swayed from the delight of the audience... Satin. Bubnov, give me a penny! Bubnov. I only have two kopecks... Actor. I say talent, that's what a hero needs. And talent is faith in yourself, in your strength... Satin. Give me a nickel, and I will believe that you are a talent, a hero, a crocodile, a private bailiff... Tick, give me a nickel! Tick. Go to hell! There are a lot of you here... Satin. Why are you swearing? Because you don't have a penny, I know... Anna . Andrey Mitrich... I feel stuffy... difficult... Tick. What will I do? Bubnov. Open the door to the hallway... Tick. OK! You are sitting on the bunk, and I am on the floor... let me go to my place, and open the door... and I already have a cold... Bubnov (calmly). I don’t need to open the door... your wife asks... Tick (sullenly). You never know who would ask for anything...

Satin. My head is buzzing... eh! And why do people hit each other on the head?

Satin. Played... Bubnov. They are not only on the head, but throughout the rest of the body. (Gets up.) Go and buy some thread... And for some reason our owners haven’t been seen for a long time today... as if they had died. (Leaves.) Anna coughs. Satin, with his hands under his head, lies motionless. (after looking around sadly, he approaches Anna). What? Badly? Anna . It's stuffy. Actor. Do you want me to take you out into the hallway? Well, get up. (He helps the woman get up, throws some junk over her shoulders and, supporting her, leads her into the hallway.) Well, well... hard! I am sick myself...poisoned with alcohol... Kostylev (at the door). For a walk? Oh, and a nice couple, a ram and a little girl...

Actor. And you step aside... see sick people coming?..

Kostylev. Come in, if you please...

(Humming something divine under his breath, he looks around the shelter suspiciously and tilts his head to the left, as if listening to something in Ash’s room.) The tick fiercely jingles its keys and creaks its file, watching its owner from under its brows.

Are you creaking? Tick. What? Kostylev. Are you creaking, I say?

Ah... that... what did I want to ask? (Quickly and quietly.) Wasn't your wife here? Tick. I haven't seen... Kostylev Kostylev. Why put pressure on you? Who benefits from this? The Lord is with you, live, know, for your own pleasure... And I’ll throw fifty dollars on you, I’ll buy oil for the lamp... and my sacrifice will burn in front of the holy icon... And the sacrifice will go for me, as retribution for my sins , and for you too. After all, you yourself don’t think about your sins... well... Eh, Andryushka, you are an evil person! Your wife has withered away from your villainy... no one loves you, no one respects you... your work is creaky, restless for everyone... Tick (screams).

Have you come to poison me?

Satin growls loudly. Kostylev (shuddering). Hey, father... Actor (enters). He sat the woman down in the hallway, wrapped her up... Kostylev. How kind you are, brother! That's good... it'll all count towards you... Actor. When? Kostylev. In the next world, brother... there everything, every deed of ours is counted... Actor. And here you would reward me for my kindness... Kostylev. How can I do this?

Actor. Rate half the debt...

Kostylev. Hehe! You keep joking, my dear, you keep playing... Can kindness of heart be compared with money? Kindness is above all good things. And your debt to me is indeed a debt! This means that you must compensate me for it... Your kindness to me, an old man, must be shown free of charge... Actor. You are a rogue, old man... (He goes into the kitchen.) The tick gets up and goes into the hallway. Kostylev (to Satin). (Quickly and quietly.) Creaky? He ran away, hehe! He doesn't love me... Satin. Who except the devil loves you...

Kostylev (chuckling).

What a scolder you are! And I love you all... I understand, my brothers, you are unfortunate, useless, lost... (Suddenly, quickly.) And... Vaska is at home? Satin. Look... (comes to the door and knocks). Vasya! Nastya (mumbling). The actor appears at the door from the kitchen. He's chewing something. Ash. Who is this?

Kostylev. It's me... me, Vasya.

(Quickly and quietly.) Ash. What do you need? Kostylev (moving away). Open... (without looking at Kostylev). He will open it, and she will be there... The actor snorts. (restless, quietly). A? Who's there? You... what? Satin. What? Are you telling me? (Quickly and quietly.) Kostylev. What did you say? Satin. This is me... to myself... Kostylev. Look, brother! Make jokes in moderation... yes! (Knocks hard on the door.) Basil!.. Ashes (opening the door). Well? Why are you worried? (looking into the room). Ash. Well, look! Yesterday, in front of witnesses, I sold you a watch for ten rubles... I got three, give me seven! Why are you blinking your eyes? Hangs around here, bothers people... but doesn't know his business... Kostylev. Shh! Don't be angry, Vasya... The clock, it... Satin. Stolen... Kostylev (sternly). I don't accept stolen goods... how can you... Ash(takes him by the shoulder). Why did you alarm me? What do you want? Kostylev. Yes... I don't care... I'll leave... if you're like that... Ash. Go, bring the money! Kostylev (leaves.) What rude people! Ay-ay... Actor. Comedy! Satin. Fine! This is what I love... Ash. Why is he here? Satin (laughing). Do not understand? He's looking for a wife... and why don't you kill him, Vasily?! Ash. I will ruin my life because of such rubbish... Satin. And you are clever. Then marry Vasilisa... you will be our master... Ash. Great joy! You will not only drink my entire household, but also, out of my kindness, you will drink me in a tavern... (Sits on the bunk.) The old devil... woke me up... And I had a good dream: as if I was catching a fish, and I got caught by a huge bream! This kind of bream, the kind that only happens in a dream... And so I’m leading it on a fishing rod and I’m afraid the line will break off! And I prepared a net... now, I think... Satin. This is not bream, but Vasilisa was... Bubnov. Why are you talking? Actor. He caught Vasilisa a long time ago... Ash (angrily). Go to hell... and with her too! (enters from the hallway). Cold... doggy... Bubnov. Why are you talking? Actor. Why didn't you bring Anna? Will freeze... Tick. Natasha took her into the kitchen... Actor. The old man will kick you out... (sitting down to work). Well... Natasha will bring... Satin. Basil! Give me a nickel... Actor (Satin). Oh... a nickel! Vasya! Give us two kopecks... Ash. We must give it quickly... don't ask for a ruble yet... on! Satin. Giblartarr! There are no better people in the world than thieves! Tick (sullenly). They get money easily... They don't work... Satin. Many people get money easily, but few part with it easily... Work? Make the work enjoyable for me - maybe I will work... yes! May be! When work is pleasure, life is good! When work is a duty, life is slavery! (To the actor.) You, Sardanapalus! Let's go... Actor. Let's go, Nebuchadnezzar! I'll get drunk like... forty thousand drunkards... Ash (yawning). How's your wife? Tick. These? What kind of people are they? Ragged, golden company... people! I’m a working man... I’m ashamed to look at them... I’ve been working since I was little... Do you think I won’t break out of here? I’ll get out... I’ll rip off the skin, and I’ll get out... Just wait... my wife will die... I lived here for six months... but it still feels like six years... Ash. No one here is worse than you... you are in vain to say... Tick. No worse! They live without honor, without conscience... Ashes (indifferently). Where are they - honor, conscience? On your feet, instead of boots, you cannot put either honor or conscience... Those who have power and strength need honor and conscience... Bubnov (enters). Uh... chilly! Ash. Bubnov! Do you have a conscience? Bubnov. Wha-oh? Conscience? Ash. Well, yes! Bubnov. What is conscience for? I'm not rich... Ash. So I say the same thing: the rich need honor and conscience, yes! And Kleshch scolds us: no, he says, we have a conscience... Bubnov. What did he want to do? Ash. He has a lot of his own... Bubnov. So he's selling? Well, no one here will buy it. I would buy broken cardboards... and even then on credit... Ashes (instructive). You're a fool, Andryushka! You should listen to Satin about conscience... otherwise Baron... Mite. I have nothing to talk to them about...

Ash. They will be smarter than you... even though they are drunkards...

Bubnov. And whoever is drunk and smart has two lands in him... I don't accept stolen goods... how can you... Ash. Satin says: every person wants his neighbor to have a conscience, but, you see, it’s not beneficial for anyone to have one. And this is true... Natasha enters. Behind her is Luka with a stick in his hand, a knapsack over his shoulders, a bowler hat and a kettle at his belt. Luke. Good health, honest people! (smoothing his mustache). Ahh, Natasha! Bubnov (Luke). I was honest, but the spring before last... Natasha. Here's a new guest... Luke. I don't care! I respect swindlers too, in my opinion, not a single flea is bad: they are all black, they all jump... that’s it. Where can I fit in, my dear? Natasha (pointing to the door to the kitchen). Go there, grandpa... Luke. Thanks girl! There and there... For the old man, where it’s warm, there’s his homeland... Ash. What an interesting little old man you brought, Natasha... Natasha. More interesting than you... Andrey! Your wife is in our kitchen... you, later, come for her. Tick. Okay... I'll come... Natasha. If only you could treat her more kindly now... it won't be long... Tick. I know... Ash. Really, I'm not afraid! Even now I will accept death! Take a knife, strike against the heart... I’ll die without a sigh! Even with joy, because from a clean hand... Natasha (leaves). Well, you should start talking to others. Bubnov (drawn out). And the threads are rotten... Natasha (at the door in the hallway). Don't forget, Andrey, about your wife... Tick. OK... Ash. Nice girl! Bubnov. Girl nothing... Ash. Why is she with me... right? Rejects... All the same, he will disappear here... Bubnov. It will disappear through you... Ash. Why through me? I feel sorry for her... Bubnov. Like a wolf a sheep... I don't accept stolen goods... how can you... Ash. You're lying! I really... feel sorry for her... It’s bad for her to live here... I see... Tick. Wait, Vasilisa will see you talking to her... Bubnov. Vasilisa? No, she won’t give up hers for nothing... the woman is fierce... (lies on the bunk). To hell with both of you... prophets! Tick. You'll see... just wait!.. Luke (in the kitchen, humming). It’s in the middle of the eyes... you can’t see the road... Tick (going into the canopy). Look howls... too... Ash. And it’s boring... why is it boring for me? You live, you live, everything is fine! And suddenly you’ll definitely feel cold: it will become boring... (lies on the bunk). Bubnov. Boring? Mm... Ash. Hey, hey! Luke (singing). Eh, and there’s no way to see the way... Ash. Old man! Hey! (looking out the door). It's me? Ash. You. Do not sing. Luka (exits). Don't you like it? Ash. When they sing well I love... Luke. Does that mean I'm not good? Ash. That is...

Luke. Look! And I thought I sing well. This is how it always turns out: a person thinks to himself: “I’m doing good!” Grab and people are unhappy...

Ash (laughing). Here! Right... Bubnov. You say it’s boring, but you want to laugh. Ash. What do you want? Crow... Luke. Is this boring for anyone? Ash. Here I... The Baron enters. Luke. Look! And there, in the kitchen, the girl is sitting, reading a book and crying! Right! Tears are flowing... I tell her: honey, what are you doing, huh? And she's a pity! Who do I say I feel sorry for? But, he says, in the book... This is what a person does, huh? Also, apparently, out of boredom... Baron. This is stupid... Ash. Baron! Did you drink tea? Baron. Drank... further! Ash. Would you like me to supply half a bottle? Baron. Of course... further! Ash. Baron! Did you drink tea?. Well, I will! Blockhead! What pleasure can you get from this if I myself know that I have become almost worse than you? You would then force me to walk on all fours when I was no match for you... Bubnov. Right! Luke. And I will say good!.. Bubnov. What was was, but only trifles remain ... There are no gentlemen here... everything has faded away, one naked man remained... Luke. That means everyone is equal... And you, dear, were you a baron? Ash. Baron! Did you drink tea?. What else is this? Who are you, kikimora? Luke (laughs). I saw the count and the prince... but this is the first time I’ve met the baron, and even then he’s spoiled... Ash. Would you like me to supply half a bottle? (laughs). Baron! And you embarrassed me... Ash. Baron! Did you drink tea?. It's time to be smarter, Vasily... Luke. Ehe-he! I’ll look at you, brothers, your life oh-oh!.. Bubnov. Such a life that you get up in the morning and howl... Ash. Baron! Did you drink tea?. We lived better... yes! I... used to... wake up in the morning and, lying in bed, drink coffee... coffee! with cream... yes! Luke. And that's all people! No matter how you pretend, no matter how you wobble, but you were born a man, you will die a man... And that’s all, I see, smarter people They are becoming more and more interesting... and even though they live worse and worse, they want to get better... stubborn! Ash. Baron! Did you drink tea?. Who are you, old man?.. Where did you come from? Luke. Me? Ash. Baron! Did you drink tea?. Wanderer? Luke. We are all wanderers on earth... They say, I have heard, that our earth is also a wanderer in the sky. Ash. Baron! Did you drink tea? (strictly). This is so, well, do you have a passport? Luke (not right away). Who are you, detective? Ash. Would you like me to supply half a bottle? (joyfully). Clever, old man! What, Barosha, did you get it too? Bubnov. Well, yes, the master got it... Ash. Baron! Did you drink tea? (confused). Well, what's there? I'm... kidding, old man! Brother, I don’t have any papers myself... Bubnov. You're lying! Ash. Baron! Did you drink tea?. That is... I have papers... but they are no good. Luke. They, the pieces of paper, are all like that... they are all no good. Ash. Would you like me to supply half a bottle?. Baron! Let's go to the tavern... Ash. Baron! Did you drink tea?. Ready! Well, goodbye, old man... you rogue! Luke. Anything can happen, honey... Ash. Would you like me to supply half a bottle? (at the door in the hallway). Well, let's go, shall we! (Leaves.)

The Baron quickly follows him.

Luke. In fact, was the man a baron? Bubnov. Who knows? Master, that's true... Even now, no, no, and suddenly he will show himself to be a master. I haven't gotten used to it yet, apparently. Luke. It is, perhaps, lordship - like smallpox... and a person will recover, but the signs remain... Bubnov. He’s okay after all... Only sometimes he kicks... like what about your passport... Alyoshka (enters drunk, with a harmony in his hands. Whistling). Hey residents! Bubnov. Why are you yelling? Alyoshka. Sorry! I'm a polite person... Bubnov. Have you been on a spree again? Alyoshka. As many as you like! Now assistant bailiff Medyakin kicked me out of the station and said: so that, he says, on the street there is no smell of you... no, no! I am a person with character... And the owner snorts at me... And what is the owner? F-fe! There’s just one misunderstanding... He’s a drunkard, the owner... But I’m the kind of person who... I don’t want anything! I don’t want anything and Sabbath! Here, take me for a ruble for twenty! But I don’t want anything.

Nastya comes out of the kitchen.

Give me a million I don’t want it! And so that by me, a good man, my comrade commanded... drunkard, I don’t want it! Don't want!

Nastya, standing at the door, shakes her head, looking at Alyoshka.

Luke (good-naturedly). Eh, boy, you're confused... Bubnov. Human stupidity... Alyoshka (lays down on the floor). Here, eat me! But I don’t want anything! I'm a desperate person! Explain to me who am I worse? Why am I worse than others? Here! Medyakin says: don’t go outside, I’ll beat you in the face! And I’ll go... I’ll go and lie down in the middle of the street, crush me! I don't wish for anything!.. Nastya. Unhappy!.. he’s still young, and yet... he’s breaking down like that... Alyoshka (seeing her, he kneels down). Young lady! Mamzel! Parle France... price list! I went on a spree... Nastya (whispers loudly). Vasilisa! Vasilisa (quickly opening the door to Alyosha). Are you here again? Alyoshka. Hello... please... Vasilisa. I told you, puppy, not to let your spirit be here... and you came again? Alyoshka. Vasilisa Karpovna... would you like me... to play a funeral march? Vasilisa (pushes him on the shoulder). Out! Alyoshka (moving towards the door). Wait... you can't do that! Funeral march... recently learned! Fresh music... wait! you can not do it this way! Vasilisa. I'll show you... you can't... I'll set the whole street against you... you're a damn pagan... you're too young to bark about me... Alyoshka (running out). Well, I'll leave... Vasilisa (To Bubnov). Don't let him set foot here! Do you hear? Bubnov. I'm not your keeper here... Vasilisa. And I don’t care who you are! You live out of mercy don’t forget! How much do you owe me? Bubnov (calmly). Didn't count... Vasilisa. Look, I'll count! Alyoshka (opening the door, shouts). Vasilisa Karpovna! And I’m not afraid of you... n-I’m not afraid! (Hides.)

Luka laughs.

Vasilisa. Who are you?.. Luke. Passing... wandering... Vasilisa. Are you spending the night or living? Luke. I'll take a look there... Vasilisa. Patchport! Luke. Can... Vasilisa. Let's! Luke. I'll bring it to you... I'll drag it to your apartment... Vasilisa. Passerby... too! A rogue would say... getting closer to the truth... Luke (sighing). Oh, and you are not kind, mother...

Vasilisa goes to the door to Ash’s room.

Alyoshka (whispers, looking out from the kitchen). Gone? A? Vasilisa (turns to him). Are you still here?

Alyoshka, hiding, whistles. Nastya and Luka laugh.

Bubnov (Vasilisa). He is not here... Vasilisa. Whom? Bubnov. Vaska... Vasilisa. Did I ask you about him? Bubnov. I see... you look everywhere... Vasilisa. I keep order, understand? Is this why you haven’t got a sweep yet? How many times have I ordered it to be clean? Bubnov. Revenge actor... Vasilisa. I don't care who! But if the orderlies come and impose a fine, then I... all of you out! Bubnov (calmly). How will you live? Vasilisa. So that there is no speck! (Goes to the kitchen. Nastya.) Why are you hanging around here? Is your mug swollen? Why are you standing there? Sweep the floor! Have you seen Natalya? Was she here? Nastya. I don't know... I haven't seen... Vasilisa. Bubnov! Was your sister here? Bubnov. And... she brought him... Vasilisa. Was this... at home? Bubnov. Basil? There was... She was talking to Kleshch here, Natalya... Vasilisa. I'm not asking you with whom! Dirt everywhere... dirt! Oh you... pigs! To keep it clean... hear! (Quickly leaves.) Bubnov. How much atrocity there is in this woman! Luke. Serious butterfly... Nastya. You will go wild in such a life... Tie every living person to a husband like hers... Bubnov. Well, she's not very tightly attached... Luke. Is she always so... torn? Bubnov. Always... You see, I came to my lover, but he’s not there... Luke. It's a shame, then. Oho-ho! How much it different people He controls the earth... and frightens each other with all sorts of fears, but there is no order in life... and there is no purity... Bubnov. Everyone wants order, but there is a lack of reason. However, we need to sweep... Nastya!.. You should get busy... Nastya. Well yes, of course! I'm here for you, maid... (Pause.) I'll get drunk today... I'll get so drunk! Bubnov. And that's the thing... Luke. Why are you, girl, thirsty? Just now you were crying, now you’re saying, “I’ll get drunk!” Nastya (defiantly). And if I get drunk, I’ll cry again... that’s all! Bubnov. A little... Luke. For what reason, tell me? After all, without a reason, a pimple won’t pop up...

Nastya is silent, shaking her head.

So... Ehe-he... gentlemen! And what will happen to you?.. Well, at least I’ll leave a litter here. Where is your broom?

Bubnov. Behind the door, in the hallway...

Luka goes into the hallway.

Nastenka!

Nastya. A? Bubnov. Why did Vasilisa rush at Alyosha? Nastya. He said about her that Vaska was tired of her and that Vaska wanted to leave her... and take Natasha for himself... I’ll leave here... to another apartment. Bubnov. What? Where? Nastya. I'm tired... I'm superfluous here... Bubnov (calmly). You are superfluous everywhere... and all the people on earth are superfluous...

Nastya shakes her head. He gets up and quietly goes into the hallway. Medvedev enters. Behind him Luke with a broom.

Medvedev. It's like I don't know you... Luke. Do you know all the other people? Medvedev. I should know everyone in my precinct... but I don’t know you... Luke. This is because, uncle, not all of the land fits in your plot... there’s only a little left to cover it... (Goes into the kitchen.) Medvedev (approaching Bubnov). That’s right, my plot is small... at least worse than any big one... Now, before being relieved from duty, I took the shoemaker Alyoshka to the unit... He lay down, you know, in the middle of the street, plays the accordion and yells: I don’t want anything, I don't wish for anything! Horses ride here and there is movement in general... they can be crushed by wheels and so on... A violent guy... Well, now I... introduced him. Loves chaos... Bubnov. Are you coming to play checkers in the evening? Medvedev. I'll come. Hmmm... What... Vaska? Bubnov. Nothing... everything is the same... Medvedev. So... he lives? Bubnov. Why shouldn't he live? He can live... Medvedev (doubting). Can?

Luka goes out into the hallway with a bucket in his hand.

Hmmm... there's a conversation going on... about Vaska... haven't you heard?

Bubnov. I hear different conversations... Medvedev. About Vasilisa, it’s like... didn’t notice? Bubnov. What? Medvedev. So... in general... Maybe you know, but are you lying? After all, everyone knows... (Strictly.) You can't lie, brother... Bubnov. Why should I lie! Medvedev. That's it! Ah, dogs! They are talking: Vaska and Vasilisa... they say... what do I need? I'm not her father, I'm her uncle... Why laugh at me?..

Included Kvashnya.

What kind of people have become... everyone laughs... A-ah! You've come...

Kvashnya. My dear garrison! Bubnov! He pestered me again at the market to get married... Bubnov. Go ahead... what? He has money, and he is still a strong gentleman... Medvedev. Me? Ho-ho! Kvashnya. Oh, you gray one! No, you got me for this, for sore spot don't touch it! This, my dear, happened to me... for a woman to get married is like jumping into an ice hole in winter: I did it once, I remember it for the rest of my life... Medvedev. You wait... husbands they are different. Kvashnya. Yes, I’m all the same! When my dear hubby died, there was no hope for him, so I sat alone all day with joy: I sit and still can’t believe my happiness... Medvedev. If your husband beat you... in vain you should have complained to the police... Kvashnya. I complained to God for eight years, but he didn’t help! Medvedev. Now it is forbidden to beat wives... now there is strictness and law and order in everything! You can’t beat anyone in vain... they beat you for the sake of order... Luke (introduces Anna). Well, we crawled... oh you! And is it possible to walk alone in such a weak group? Where is your place? Anna (pointing). Thank you grandpa... Kvashnya. Here she is, married... look! Luke. The butterfly is of a very weak composition... It walks along the canopy, clings to the walls and groans... Why are you letting it go alone? Kvashnya. We didn’t notice, sorry, father! And her maid, apparently, went for a walk... Luke. You're laughing... but is it really possible to abandon a person like that? Whatever it is, it is always worth its price... Medvedev. Supervision is needed! What if he dies? This will be a mess... You have to watch! Luke. That's right, Mr. Under... Medvedev. Hmmm... although I... am not quite under yet... Luke. W-well? And visibility is the most heroic!

There is noise and trampling in the hallway. Muffled screams can be heard.

Medvedev. No way scandal? Bubnov. It seems... Kvashnya. Go have a look... Medvedev. And I have to go... Oh, service! And why do they separate people when they fight? They themselves would stop... because you get tired of fighting... Let them beat each other freely, as much as everyone wants... they would fight less, because they would remember the beatings longer... Bubnov (getting off the bunk). Talk to your boss about this... Kostylev (opening the door, shouts). Abram! Go... Vasilisa is killing Natasha... go!

Kvashnya, Medvedev, Bubnov rush into the hallway. Luka, shaking his head, looks after them.

Anna. Oh my God... Poor Natasha!

At the beginning of the 20th century, Gorky turned to drama. He writes his first plays almost simultaneously. “At the Lower Depths” was conceived earlier than “The Bourgeois”; the plan for “Dachnikov” was outlined even before the first premiere of “At the Lower Depths”.

Work on the play began in 1900. In January of the following year, Gorky wrote to Stanislavsky: “I started another play. Bosyatskaya. Characters about twenty people. I’m very curious what will happen!”

The play “At the Lower Depths” was written in 1902 for the troupe of the Moscow Art Public Theater. According to Gorky, the play appeared as a result of twenty years of observations of the world " former people”, to which he included “... not only wanderers, inhabitants of night shelters and in general “lumpen-proletarians”, but also some of the intellectuals, offended and humiliated by failures in life.” As the writer himself pointed out, he observed the prototypes of his heroes in Nizhny Novgorod: the artist Kolosovsky-Sokolovsky served as the prototype of the Actor: Gorky wrote Bubnov not only from his acquaintance tramp, but also from an intellectual, his teacher; The image of Na-sti is largely borrowed from the stories of Claudia Gross.

The production of Gorky's plays was prohibited. To stage “At the Lower Depths,” a petition from the theater society or the local governor was necessary. “I had to go to St. Petersburg, defend almost every phrase, reluctantly make concessions and, in the end, achieve permission for only one Art Theater,” V.N. later recalled about the production of “At the Lower Depths.” Nemirovich-Danchenko. From conversations with the then head of the Main Directorate for Press Affairs, Professor Zverev, he was left with the impression that “At the Lower Depths” was allowed only because the authorities were counting on the deafening failure of the play. Material from the site

On December 18, four and a half months after its creation, the first performance of the play took place; it was published only a month and a half later. The play was a huge success. Proof of this is numerous newspaper publications. Here is one of them: “...The ovation took on unprecedented proportions. Gorky was summoned more than 15 times. Something indescribable." The writer himself was extremely surprised: “The success of the play is exceptional, I did not expect anything like this.” Eyewitnesses and critics of those years associated such a success of “At the Lower Depths” at the Moscow Art Theater with the image of Luka created in the play by Ivan Moskvin. And the remaining roles were played by leading theater actors. So, K. Stanislavsky played Satin, V. Ka-chalov - Baron, O. Knipper-Chekhov - Nastya.

By September 1903, the play had been released in a circulation of 75,000 copies.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Use the search

On this page there is material on the following topics: