Composer

:

George Posford

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Average_duration

:

3:31

Balalaika is a musical comedy composed by George Posford with lyrics by Eric Maschwitz. The plot revolves around a young Englishman named Peter, who falls in love with a Russian girl named Tanya while on a trip to Moscow. Tanya is a member of a Russian dance troupe that performs with balalaikas, a traditional Russian stringed instrument. Peter joins the troupe and learns to play the balalaika in order to impress Tanya. The musical was first composed in 1936 and premiered at the Adelphi Theatre in London on 14th October 1936. It was directed by John Gielgud and choreographed by George Balanchine. The musical was a huge success and ran for 705 performances. The musical is divided into two acts and has a total of 18 musical numbers. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the love story between Peter and Tanya. The second act takes place in London, where the Russian dance troupe is invited to perform. Peter and Tanya's relationship is tested when they are separated by distance and cultural differences. The musical is known for its catchy tunes and lively dance numbers. The music is heavily influenced by Russian folk music and features the balalaika prominently. The lyrics are witty and playful, with a mix of English and Russian phrases. The characters in the musical are stereotypical representations of their respective cultures. The English characters are portrayed as reserved and proper, while the Russians are portrayed as passionate and emotional. However, the musical also highlights the similarities between the two cultures and the power of love to bridge cultural differences. Overall, Balalaika is a charming and entertaining musical that celebrates the beauty of Russian culture and the power of love.

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