Vakhtang Chabukiani as Andrey in Taras Bulba

Vakhtang Chabukiani(1910 - 1992). Magnificent and legendary Georgian ballet dancer and choreographer who was a star of Mariinsky (Kirov) Theater of Saint Petersburg. He is considered to be one of the most influential male ballet dancers in history, and is noted for creating the majority of the choreography of the male variations which comprise the classical ballet repertory. After this( Andray in Taras Bulba who is traitor in this novel) role the communist government constrained him to leave the theater , because he played the negative role so well. Vakhtang Chabukiani embodied the new Soviet hero in the ballet of the 1930's, combining virtuosic ballet technique with athleticism and a stunningly powerful, vivid stage presence. He originated lead roles in several signature Soviet ballets, among them Vasily Vainonen's “Flames of Paris“ in 1932 and Rostislav Zakharov's “Fountain of the Bakhchisarai“ in 1934. Also in 1934, h