Actor Yura Borisov has taken to the New Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow to test his upcoming lead role in Laurus. The performance was part of an experimental creative workshop for the forthcoming film adaptation of the acclaimed Russian novel.
The production brought together spoken dialogue, symphonic music, and video sequences that incorporated members of the audience. Rather than serving as a commercial promotional campaign, the event functioned as a live artistic laboratory while the filmmakers continue early development work.
Borisov appeared on stage alongside Evgeny Vodolazkin, the author of the bestselling book, reading lines from the developing screenplay. Anton Fedorov was recently appointed to direct the motion picture, though the remainder of the acting ensemble has not yet been selected.
Casting the holy fool
General producer Sergey Katyshev said the production team offered the central role directly to Borisov because of his ability to portray complex characters naturally, adding that the stage workshops confirmed the decision. Vodolazkin also praised the choice, saying he knew of no other performer who could embody a holy fool and deeply spiritual figure with such authenticity.
Vodolazkin said the book resonated with readers because it captured the power and atmosphere of antiquity, expressing confidence that the cinematic team was capturing that same spirit. Set in fifteenth-century Russia, the novel chronicles the life of an ascetic healer seeking atonement across a plague-stricken medieval world. The book has been translated into thirty languages.
Musical experiments across eras
Composer Pyotr Dranga is writing the original score for the film. The Moscow performance was the second stage trial for the music, following an initial creative session at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg that led Dranga to revise his composition.
Dranga said his goal was to connect melodies from different historical eras rather than remain tied to a single moment in time. He explained that the final score resembles a mosaic assembled from distinct fragments, blending a full symphonic orchestra with traditional Russian folk wind instruments such as the reed-based zhaleika and the svirel flute.
The creators have not revealed whether the Moscow audience heard the finished score or an intermediate version, as musical revisions remain ongoing. With the primary creative team established and the lead role confirmed, the project has emerged as one of the most anticipated upcoming releases in Russian cinema.
