MOSCOW, March 31, Alina Kravtsova. Singing comedian — that's what he calls himself. Today he turns 75. He was going to become a singer, but he achieved success primarily as an artist of the conversational genre. Vladimir Vinokur spoke about the attitude to age, modern humor and family happiness in an interview.
—Vladimir Natanovich, I can't get through to you—just Smolny. Are you preparing for the anniversary?
— By the way, I have Smolny all the time, not only now. And how can you be ready for the anniversary? Even on the day of the holiday I will not be ready. But I know that everything will be fine.
— What are you more busy with now — preparing a home holiday or anniversary concert programs?
— You are talking with the artist! Home holiday — it's set the table, sat, raised their glasses. And two concerts at the Theater of the Russian Army on April 7 and 8, shooting is what is really important for me as an artist.
— Ten years ago you said that 65 — is youth, but 75?
— Also youth! When my friend Lev Leshchenko is asked about his pension, he answers: «As my friend Vinokur says, they don't leave us — they take us away.» We found the older generation, who worked until the last day.
— Tour schedule and now you have a very busy one. Aren't you tired of this rhythm?
— No, because it's not rhythm — it's my life. I'm not going to lie on the beach or sit on a bench in the country. Our life is a stage. As soon as this stops, it means that life has stopped.
—Vladimir Vinokur's parody theater — what are you doing now?
Yes, this is what I do most of the time. I am pleased with young talented artists, with whom we make new programs, go on tour. It's very nice when the halls are full, when there are flowers, applause, laughter. ratio=»0.637807536592962″ data-crop-width=»600″ data-crop-height=»383″ data-source-sid=»rian_photo» class=»lazyload» width=»1920″ height=»1225″ decoding=» async» />
— Is humor appropriate in such a difficult time?
— Today, in my opinion, it is necessary — to make people smile. But what about the front-line brigades, for example? I have been to war several times — in Afghanistan, in the Chechen Republic, in Syria. What is there to talk about? And the guys need to smile — even there.
— Many comedians in life are serious and even boring people. And you?
— Friends say I'm cheerful.
— They say you were a silent and introvert as a child?
“People are changing. Everyone thought that my older brother would be an artist. He studied and played the piano beautifully, but became a builder. And I was silent, but I talked. This all shows up later. =»600″ data-crop-height=»430″ data-source-sid=»rian_photo» class=»lazyload» width=»1920″ height=»1376″ decoding=»async» />
— And your grandson? Who do you think he will become?
“I don't even think about it. Whatever he wants, he will become. He is very mobile, artistic, flexible, does somersaults perfectly, plays tennis, swims, is ready to remember with me the karate that I used to do. Well done boy! But who he will be — let him decide for himself.
— And who would you like him to become?
— A wonderful person. He is a good guy, sociable — that's the main thing. And he will choose his profession. I'm against heredity.
Is he your best friend now?
— We are very friendly, we communicate. He doesn't even call me grandfather — just Vova. And grandma Tamara — Tata. width=»600″ data-crop-height=»405″ data-source-sid=»rian_photo» class=»lazyload» width=»1920″ height=»1296″ decoding=»async» />
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— You have amazing vocal abilities. Don't you regret that your singing career didn't work out?
— Yes, at first I wanted to become a singer and graduated from the music department of GITIS: I was brought up by the soloist of the Bolshoi, People's Artist Pyotr Selivanov, who also released Leshchenko.
But humor won. And humor with vocals is very interesting, of course. Arkady Raikin once said to my father: «Let Volodya be sure to keep the fact that he is a singing comedian. Because this is a special genre.» And he guessed it and kind of blessed me, it turns out.
— Did you have any doubts?
— No. I made the right choice, I would get bored just singing. And so — I want to sing, I want to say, I want to parody.
— Did someone push you to this?
— Mom, Anna Yulyevna, my teacher, she taught me Russian and literature. Dad wanted me to be a builder, like him and my brother. I also graduated from a construction college. But still, even in the army, he ended up in a creative environment — in the song and dance ensemble of the Moscow Military District. Then he entered the theater institute. And I don't regret anything.
— When did you notice the talent of a parodist in yourself?
— I made you laugh both at school and at the technical school. In the army, he parodied commanders.
— Did you use this talent for your own purposes?
— No, I just made my friends laugh.
— Don't you miss the golden time, the finest hour of the programs «Around Laughter», «Full House»?
— Yes, I regret that this time has passed so quickly. «Full house» is still there, the program has high ratings. Regina (Dubovitskaya. — Ed.) — well done, created her own empire, which still exists.
— And how do you like modern comedians-humorists? artist of his time. The guys work well, I love them, I communicate with them. I won't change. There is no worse or better — there are demands of the time.
— Who is the most liked of the new generation of comedians?
— Pasha Volya is a real artist, Garik Martirosyan works well.
— You not only have a profession for life, but also a wife.
— Yes, next year we will have 50 years of marriage. Few people on the stage like that, I am a rare specimen. Probably because he traveled a lot. After each tour, he met his wife as if for the first time. Well, our daughter is very good — a soloist of the Bolshoi Ballet, a wonderful artist, a characteristic dancer. And I'm proud when I'm sitting in the hall or when the audience comes up and says thank you.
Is it true that you don't even quarrel with your wife? How is it?
— Do not attach serious importance to everyday problems. When you go through most of your life and come of age, as I have now, you clearly realize this. What to think about quarrels at home or showdowns when there is the most important thing…
— And what is it?
— Work. Please people. And I am happy that my family understands and supports me in this — and my wife, and daughter, and grandson. I go on stage completely isolated from household chores. They help me, free me from the master's duty.
—Your fans still write compliments on social networks, call you a favorite. How do you manage to keep yourself in shape? Diet, sleep, what else?
— No, I eat everything, I can even drink. The biggest movement for me is the stage. This is a serious burden: both physical and moral. Plus, my wife makes sure that I am in shape, do not sit idle — makes me walk a lot!
— And in terms of audience interest? How to stay afloat all your life?
— You better ask the audience. The halls are still full, many flowers, rave reviews — this is very important for me. And how did it all work out? I don't know.