I am interviewing Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation, Nonna Grishaeva. Nonna Grishaeva and Yegor Beroyev will present, to the spectators of Cyprus, the play ‘Warsaw Melody’, which will be held on February 4^th at the ‘Pattihio’.

My first question is about the upcoming performance. Why do you think it’s worth seeing?

This play is worth seeing in order to, once again, remember that love is the most important gift that life can give you…and give only once. It is not known how you will carry it through your life; whether circumstances will help you or will interfere. This is what is given from above. This is a gift! This is a test.

Nona, did you have any examples to follow? Are there any idols or teachers who helped you to form a personality as a professional?

Yes, certainly. All my life, from childhood, for me, a kind of ‘beacon’ was Lyudmila Markovna Gurchenko. I studied with her book ‘Applause’, and I was always amazed, in her work, how such a bright, charismatic, singing, dancing actress can exist, with such works as ‘Five Evenings’ or ‘Twenty Days Without War’. Such serious dramatic roles represent me madly, always in it to conquer. Well, of course, I love Lyubov Orlova and I endlessly love Audrey Hepburn.

Recently, I watched a movie with her, ‘Roman Holiday’. This movie is incomparable. How did it happen that you became an actress? Was it your choice or, for example, the choice of your parents?

I did not choose anything – this was born in me.

That is, from childhood you knew that you would be only an actress?

From childhood, I was an actress. I was already on the professional stage at ten-years-old and played my first role. Home concerts began five years later. Therefore, I never even thought about it and the question did not arise, either from me or from my parents.

If, now, you started life from scratch, with the experience already available, would you like to become an actress again?

Of course.

And only an actress?

And only an actress.

And, suppose, tomorrow you could not be an actress. What would remain in your life?

Nothing. Then, I would not live.

That is, this is life itself?

Yes.

What is ‘taboo’ for you in movies and at work? What role will you not play under any circumstances?

Something to do with some kind of eroticism. I believe that this is not necessary for a mother of two children. You should not act in some frank erotic scenes. I have never done this and will never do it.

What is cinema for you and what is theatre?

Cinema is a fascinating process that is always incomprehensible. You do not know how you will be remembered in the end and what will remain of your role. The theatre is my life; a living exchange of energy with the audience. If no one appreciates you, you cannot change this. Here you are and here is the viewer…and the viewer only sees what you are capable of.

When you play a role, do you put your experiences into it and your views on life?

Of course! Without this, it is impossible. It is impossible to play a role without bringing a part of yourself into it.

There is a belief that negative characters play more interesting than positive ones. What do you think?

What is more interesting is that if you play a negative character, you must justify that character’s main interest. If you justify the character from inside yourself and why that character behaves this way or that way, this is the most interesting thing.

And it’s hard to convey?

It is very interesting.

Your profession is very public and you always have to be in the public eye. How do you relax? How do you relieve tension?

Somewhere by the sea, where the sun, seagulls, sand and heat can be found.

We are waiting for you in Cyprus. Unfortunately, I cannot promise very warm weather.

And how are you there in February?

In February, there will probably be a temperature of 15℃, maybe 17℃.

Fine. Enough for me.

The sun will be compulsory. We are waiting for you on February 4^th, on the stage of our theatre. Thank you for the interview.