With all its old and historic palaces, it's a wonder St Petersburg isn't crawling with ghosts.
But there's one place where the restless spirits of one of the city's premier dynasties of the stage can be found, still performing their favorite arias and soliliquys for whichever audience happens to drop by.
"Happenings with Ghosts" uses as its stage the Memorial Museum of the Samoilov Actors Dynasty, where three generations of actors and actresses grew up, rehearsed and performed.
Located on Stremyannaya Ulitsa in the rear of the Nevskij Palace Hotel, the museum has recreated several of the original rooms in the family's house once located in that very building.
Throughout the evening, viewers will be treated to a short introduction to the family's history and a potpourri of musical and dance numbers.
The evening begins with an actor, playing the role of a Samoilov grandson, welcoming the group to the family home. As he speaks, a young boy playing the flute wanders aimlessly by. "This house is full of ghosts," the grandson whispers, and he invites the guests to follow him through the rooms of the family home.
From room to room, the family begins to come to life through the family tree, portraits and other possessions on display in the showcases. All the while, fleeting figures glide by dressed in period costumes, women waving fans and men fighting duels through the halls.
For the benefit of those who don't speak Russian, the first narration is done in English.
Following the short excursion through the museum, the audience is seated and the main event begins. Since this was the home of the actors, the room provides a "stage that doesn't need scenery."
From behind a simple white background the "ghosts" dance forward, singing and wearing the costumes they once adorned as actors. Hoping to continue their tradition of entertainment, they draw lots to take turns performing their favorite parts.
As the group leader reminds the audience, "Our program is as varied as the actors of the Samoilovs," and the parade of tragedy, comedy and farce begins. Scenes from Shakespeare's King Lear, Tchaikovsky's Queen of Spades and even Puccini's Madame Butterfly appear before the viewers, and dancers bring other characters to life.
The entire evening takes less than an hour, but its richness and creativity makes up for its brevity. Even those unfamiliar with particular operas or plays will enjoy the excerpts, as the actors' performances sparkle with enthusiasm.
Perhaps the show's only weakness is the acoustics. Although the performance is set in a small room, the actors use the full range and strength of their voices, and the volume can be distracting at times.
"A Happening with Ghosts" is one of two performances offered by the Theater of Museums, a fledgling theater group that uses museums and palaces of the city as its stage. Their other performance is "The Assembly of Peter I," which takes place in the Menshikov Palace. Because of lack of funds, performances are held only by special arrangement.
* For more information on the Theater of Museums, contact 164-11-30/279-74-86.