Yevgeny Vakhtangov

Итак, мы начинаем
С нашей песенкой простой
Через пять минут Китаем
Станет наш помост пустой
Мы все здесь в этой сказке
Ваши слуги и друзья
Среди нас четыре маски
Это Я! Я! Я!...и Я!!!!

A simple song we’ll now perform,
And soon, in just five minutes,
You’ll see our empty stage transform,
And you will China visit,
Your humble servants we will be,
And friends, if that’s your wish.
Among us four masks you will see.
It’s me! Me! Me!...and Me!!!!

Such was the beginning of the Vakhtangov stage production of Princess Turandot. To the accompaniment of a marvelous musical score, the actors then proceeded to unfurl colorful fabric by tossing it back and forth, and soon the stage truly was transformed.