The Swedish Matchstick

“The Swedish Matchstick” is a joyous, inventive musical show filled with humor. The audience rarely ceases laughing from beginning to end. Each of the young actors, former students of Oleg Kudryashov at the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts, takes on several roles and often they are unrecognizable in their new guises. Interweaving plots about a missing landowner and an unfaithful wife develop into a comical criminal detective story laced with bits and pieces of vaudeville, melodrama, amateur theatre and even circus acts. The entire performance is accompanied by a small orchestra consisting of the actors themselves, who easily demonstrate that they not only sing and dance well — they are accomplished musical instrumentalists.

“The Swedish Matchstick” was honored with a Crystal Turandot award for the 2007 season.