Maria
YERMOLOVA

From the age of four, I was confident that I would be a great actress. Since the day I heard about “the great Shchepkin,” and “the great Sadovsky” from my father I wanted to become great myself. *

My dear and kind art, what has happened to you? Everything has been turned upside down: pornography and madness are now the literature and theatre of our time. I fear taking the stage again. What’s the point? What would I do there? I have no energy to do what I want, but I don’t want to do what is in fashion.

Clowning, quackery, the demonisation of ideals that we once prayed to, oh how scary, scary is to live now!

It’s not news that I’m not too bright. Sometimes I seem very disgusting and vulgar to myself. It’s like there are two voices inside me. One is very sensible, it uncovers my faults and punishes me for them; The other is the voice of a fool, it has no sense…

A good actor cannot be trained, but can only be raised to become a good actor.

I don’t deserve credit for my talent. I am the mere carrier of a gift that I cannot influence.

This is my tragedy. In real life, I can’t express what I think and feel; I can only do that on the stage.

If an artist forgets about his calling and sacrifices it for his personal life, he has committed a crime for which he must be punished.

There is only one way: to ask God for help. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” You must not let your soul suffer…Look for God, He can help you. Do not contemplate too much, but listen to Him and you will find Him and feel the peace of mind that you have never experienced and longed for in your entire life!

* The information is based on the accounts of the personas featuring in this section as well as accounts of their family members, acquaintances and colleagues