Anna Shcherbakova | Page 278 | Golden Skate

Anna Shcherbakova

Two Annas :biggrin:


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Olympic figure skating champion Anna Shcherbakova will perform in Ilya Averbukh's show "Champions" in Sochi throughout July. RIA Novosti correspondent visited the performance taking place in the Iceberg Ice Palace and asked several questions to its main star.

- Anna, the final number of the show is your program, based on the verses of Bulat Okudzhava. Tell us how such an unusual idea came about?

- This is the idea of Ilya Averbukh. He let me listen to the music, told me the concept of the performance, and I immediately liked it very much. This is a very deep performance, with meaning. I also took part in the staging, I offered him some solutions that could improve skating. He listened to me, so we got a joint work. Our vision of the program coincided in many respects. We tried to put meaning into every movement - just like the meaning is put into every word of verses. We did it how I see it, how Ilya sees it. I hope that no one will remain indifferent after our performance - and feel that we have invested in it, and see something of their own in it.

- Your second skating in the show "Champions" is the Olympic program. With what emotions are you performing it now?

- I really like to skate this program. It seems to me that on the show this performance changed, transformed and acquired a new charm. At competitions, after all, this is excitement, concentration, maximum focus on jumps. Choreography for me, of course, is always very important, but on the show, it seems to me, I opened myself differently. In each skating, I try to invest in every movement, I think where else to add something, how to play with the audience. It seems to me that with each performance this program changes and becomes more and more theatrical and colorful.

- You are now performing at the Iceberg Ice Palace, the site of the glorious Olympic victories of the Russian team. You were still very young then (10 - ed. note), but still - remember those Games?

- I don’t remember everything from that trip, but the highlights are definitely. And I also remember how I saw this huge ice rink, spectator stands, competitions ... Unforgettable impressions, and, of course, then, both from the scale of the Olympic Games and from my childhood perception, it seemed to me that this palace was ten times larger than I see him now. But, of course, in my soul now I am proud of the fact that I skate here on this arena.

- The Olympic dream did not come at that moment when you were in Sochi?

- No, much later. At that moment, I was watching the Olympics and did not even think that I would ever be able to reach such heights. I just watched and admired.

- Six months have passed since the Beijing Games. It is clear that it is impossible to give a short answer to this question (our conversation took place during the intermission of the show "Champions", and Shcherbakova had only a few minutes - author's note), but still - what did this victory change in you? How do you feel about it now?

- It's probably not even about winning. Both the preparation for the Olympic Games and the performances themselves changed me. A lot had to be rethought. I can say that, probably, internally I have changed a lot and matured. Over time, I will understand what exactly has changed in me, but for now it is difficult to answer exactly what.

- Many Olympic champions talk about the devastation after a major career triumph. Did you feeled it too?

- Of course, I had it. This feeling came over me first time right after the announcement of results . Then it seems that everything is already gone, the emotions have returned, but in fact, for many months there was an internal comprehension. As if an unknown period in life had begun. I reached the main goal and do not understand - what's next?

- And now?

-Now I'm trying a lot of different things. But life, of course, has changed a lot - that's a fact.

- In the "Luzhniki" I saw you in a break dance, do you plan something else similar?

- I have a very busy training schedule right now, I try to get back in shape, but there are also many other activities, so yes, I will try something new. For now, I won't say what it is.

"
 
Олимпийская чемпионка Щербакова: шикарное платье за 24 часа, Авербух, женский номер, парное катание

Olympic champion Shcherbakova: chic dress in 24 hours, Averbukh, feminine program, pair skating
Sport24 Konstantin Lesik
Translated by TeamEBIFAS (Exclusive Brownbear Institute For Anna Shcherbakova)


Anna Shcherbakova captivated the audience with her new show program. The Olympic champion worked with Ilya Averbukh for the first time and performed a lyrical program to Bulat Okudzhava's "Prayer" performed by American singer of Russian origin Regina Spektor at the show in Sochi. This off-season, Anya is not only working with a choreographer new to her, but also performing in an unusual show format, where in addition to individual numbers there are group ones, and some of the productions are linked by a common storyline.

Sport24 correspondent Konstantin Lesik met Shcherbakova in Sochi and talked to her about her collaboration with Ilya Averbukh, her attitude to pairs skating and her memories of the 2014 Olympics.


"Really enjoyed performing here! I was a bit worried because it was my first performance after a break. I wanted to do my part well, to do all the elements. But already after the first show, I understood that the atmosphere here is very comfortable, and I'm getting used to the programs, I'm starting to feel more relaxed about them. I understand that the main task is to perform all the elements, but at the same time to delight the audience, to skate for them, to open up more", - said the Olympic champion.



How did your collaboration with Ilya Averbukh begin?

He offered me the chance to stage a number for this show, he suggested the music, the idea. I liked it very much, we set the whole thing up in literally two training sessions. It was great to work with him, we got creative together, we had the same vision of many moments in this program.

We came up with ideas together, we chose what would be best. Of course, he did the main work - as a director. But I really enjoyed the fact that I had a bit of input into the process too.

I like the program very much, of course, and after the premiere, I noticed a lot of positive feedback. I'm glad that the audience liked it too, but I understand that it needs to be built up and worked on more, to get closer to the ideal. So far, it's just not quite perfect. There are moments where you need to be a little more confident, to work out the movements, all this is just worked out by training.


What is special about Averbukh as a choreographer?

I don't have much experience of working with different choreographers to compare a lot (smiling). The main difference is the degree of my involvement in the production.

Perhaps this is also due to the fact that so far, Ilya Izyaslavich does not know which elements I am better at, as he does not see my work in training like Daniil Markovich and Eteri Georgievna. They usually understand what I can do. And here it was more of me showing how I see some movements.

Another difference is that this is not a competition program, but a show. In a competition program, it is more important to be precise with all the steps, more elements, and less time to skate and reveal the image. You have to take into account all the complex rules, do everything with intricate moves and transitions. There is less opportunity to think something up and open up on your own. And when it is a demonstration number it is very important how the director and I see this idea. I have to skate, after all, and I need to convey the image correctly.


How was the dress created?

That was a different story (laughs). Thanks to designer Olga Ryabenko - she always helps us out. July 8 was the first show, and only on the 7th they started making it in Moscow. And the day before the premiere I just got the pieces of fabric to choose, and the next day I wore it in Sochi. A big thank you to Olga for that, I don't think many people would have taken on the job so quickly.

This dress is different from my competition dresses. That's what I wanted. I sent her ideas, different pictures of how I would like the back, the skirt, the details. In general, the program itself is different from my competitive ones, and the dress. I wanted to show something new.


You also have a very striking group program where all the girls in the show skate!

And this for me is the newest experience in the show. Usually I just skated my programs, but during the premiere, I understood what it's like to be fully involved in the show: from the beginning to the end you're always working, and there's some hustle and bustle going on. Opening in one costume, then your program in another, then the opener of the second section in a new costume, a group program, your program again - all the time running around, changing clothes, warming up, going out, skating. It's a very interesting experience.

A group program has to be practiced too, I'm new to it. The other skaters are more experienced, used to it. I'll do my best.



Ilya Averbukh's show features many experienced athletes, past Olympic champions. Have you found common ground?
Yes, it's a new environment. But everyone is very friendly, everyone is supportive, so I don't feel out of place. They are very welcoming, helpful, they explain what's what.


The funniest is probably Aleksey Yagudin.
I was able to talk to him too. In general, everyone got along well.


After working with Ilya Averbukh, have you ever had the idea of staging something yourself?

I don't think I'm that ready to set something for myself yet. When I had some ideas, I said them and Ilya listened to me. I contributed some of my own, but I don't consider that I've set something for myself, but it was small moments nonetheless.

So, I'm not ready to do it on my own yet. Maybe it will happen in the future, when I have more experience.


Ilya Averbukh is famous for his ice performances. Would you like to try this format?

We'll see, I haven't thought about it yet. This summer I was glad that I was working in a more familiar format, with the performances of my own acts, rather than in the format of a fairy tale. It's still something new for me - performances in a row, a big tour of shows, general numbers. I'm just getting into it for now. And this kind of performance suits me best.

Besides, I've never tried pair programs and I've never tried lifts, which often have to do in performances. So, it's the current version that's closer to me.


Could you even imagine yourself paired up with a celebrity? Ilya has an “Ice Age” project.

Honestly, I can't imagine that at all, because I'm afraid to even look at pair skating from the outside. When they do their lifts, I always get nervous, even turn away. And this is what professionals do. So even if I do it with a pro, I'll be very nervous. And with a person who is not confident on skates ... I can not even imagine. It seems to me that you have to be a completely fearless person.


You told us that you were at the Iceberg Arena during the 2014 Olympics. What memories did you have when you came here again?

I was about nine years old at the time. I remember some bright moments, not the whole trip. I remember the moment of the competition itself, I remember the stand I was sitting on. It looked bigger to me then, now I'm used to arenas. Then it seemed to me that the rink, the ice and the stands were 10 times bigger than now (laughs). When there is a competition, the feeling is completely different. The stands are filled with spectators, something we are now also no longer used to. After all, those were the Olympics, so it's not surprising that they seem to be bigger than they are now in training. And when I was a child, emotions and impressions were much brighter and grander.


The most striking impression must be of Yulia Lipnitskaya?

Yes, definitely. I was already in the same group with her at the time, I was very young, I was in the way all the time on the ice (laughs). I saw her preparing for the Olympics, so I watched and cheered for her in Sochi.
 
Олимпийская чемпионка Щербакова: шикарное платье за 24 часа, Авербух, женский номер, парное катание

Olympic champion Shcherbakova: chic dress in 24 hours, Averbukh, feminine program, pair skating
Sport24 Konstantin Lesik
Translated by TeamEBIFAS (Exclusive Brownbear Institute For Anna Shcherbakova)


Anna Shcherbakova captivated the audience with her new show program. The Olympic champion worked with Ilya Averbukh for the first time and performed a lyrical program to Bulat Okudzhava's "Prayer" performed by American singer of Russian origin Regina Spektor at the show in Sochi. This off-season, Anya is not only working with a choreographer new to her, but also performing in an unusual show format, where in addition to individual numbers there are group ones, and some of the productions are linked by a common storyline.

Sport24 correspondent Konstantin Lesik met Shcherbakova in Sochi and talked to her about her collaboration with Ilya Averbukh, her attitude to pairs skating and her memories of the 2014 Olympics.


"Really enjoyed performing here! I was a bit worried because it was my first performance after a break. I wanted to do my part well, to do all the elements. But already after the first show, I understood that the atmosphere here is very comfortable, and I'm getting used to the programs, I'm starting to feel more relaxed about them. I understand that the main task is to perform all the elements, but at the same time to delight the audience, to skate for them, to open up more", - said the Olympic champion.



How did your collaboration with Ilya Averbukh begin?

He offered me the chance to stage a number for this show, he suggested the music, the idea. I liked it very much, we set the whole thing up in literally two training sessions. It was great to work with him, we got creative together, we had the same vision of many moments in this program.

We came up with ideas together, we chose what would be best. Of course, he did the main work - as a director. But I really enjoyed the fact that I had a bit of input into the process too.

I like the program very much, of course, and after the premiere, I noticed a lot of positive feedback. I'm glad that the audience liked it too, but I understand that it needs to be built up and worked on more, to get closer to the ideal. So far, it's just not quite perfect. There are moments where you need to be a little more confident, to work out the movements, all this is just worked out by training.


What is special about Averbukh as a choreographer?

I don't have much experience of working with different choreographers to compare a lot (smiling). The main difference is the degree of my involvement in the production.

Perhaps this is also due to the fact that so far, Ilya Izyaslavich does not know which elements I am better at, as he does not see my work in training like Daniil Markovich and Eteri Georgievna. They usually understand what I can do. And here it was more of me showing how I see some movements.

Another difference is that this is not a competition program, but a show. In a competition program, it is more important to be precise with all the steps, more elements, and less time to skate and reveal the image. You have to take into account all the complex rules, do everything with intricate moves and transitions. There is less opportunity to think something up and open up on your own. And when it is a demonstration number it is very important how the director and I see this idea. I have to skate, after all, and I need to convey the image correctly.


How was the dress created?

That was a different story (laughs). Thanks to designer Olga Ryabenko - she always helps us out. July 8 was the first show, and only on the 7th they started making it in Moscow. And the day before the premiere I just got the pieces of fabric to choose, and the next day I wore it in Sochi. A big thank you to Olga for that, I don't think many people would have taken on the job so quickly.

This dress is different from my competition dresses. That's what I wanted. I sent her ideas, different pictures of how I would like the back, the skirt, the details. In general, the program itself is different from my competitive ones, and the dress. I wanted to show something new.


You also have a very striking group program where all the girls in the show skate!

And this for me is the newest experience in the show. Usually I just skated my programs, but during the premiere, I understood what it's like to be fully involved in the show: from the beginning to the end you're always working, and there's some hustle and bustle going on. Opening in one costume, then your program in another, then the opener of the second section in a new costume, a group program, your program again - all the time running around, changing clothes, warming up, going out, skating. It's a very interesting experience.

A group program has to be practiced too, I'm new to it. The other skaters are more experienced, used to it. I'll do my best.



Ilya Averbukh's show features many experienced athletes, past Olympic champions. Have you found common ground?
Yes, it's a new environment. But everyone is very friendly, everyone is supportive, so I don't feel out of place. They are very welcoming, helpful, they explain what's what.


The funniest is probably Aleksey Yagudin.
I was able to talk to him too. In general, everyone got along well.


After working with Ilya Averbukh, have you ever had the idea of staging something yourself?

I don't think I'm that ready to set something for myself yet. When I had some ideas, I said them and Ilya listened to me. I contributed some of my own, but I don't consider that I've set something for myself, but it was small moments nonetheless.

So, I'm not ready to do it on my own yet. Maybe it will happen in the future, when I have more experience.


Ilya Averbukh is famous for his ice performances. Would you like to try this format?

We'll see, I haven't thought about it yet. This summer I was glad that I was working in a more familiar format, with the performances of my own acts, rather than in the format of a fairy tale. It's still something new for me - performances in a row, a big tour of shows, general numbers. I'm just getting into it for now. And this kind of performance suits me best.

Besides, I've never tried pair programs and I've never tried lifts, which often have to do in performances. So, it's the current version that's closer to me.


Could you even imagine yourself paired up with a celebrity? Ilya has an “Ice Age” project.

Honestly, I can't imagine that at all, because I'm afraid to even look at pair skating from the outside. When they do their lifts, I always get nervous, even turn away. And this is what professionals do. So even if I do it with a pro, I'll be very nervous. And with a person who is not confident on skates ... I can not even imagine. It seems to me that you have to be a completely fearless person.


You told us that you were at the Iceberg Arena during the 2014 Olympics. What memories did you have when you came here again?

I was about nine years old at the time. I remember some bright moments, not the whole trip. I remember the moment of the competition itself, I remember the stand I was sitting on. It looked bigger to me then, now I'm used to arenas. Then it seemed to me that the rink, the ice and the stands were 10 times bigger than now (laughs). When there is a competition, the feeling is completely different. The stands are filled with spectators, something we are now also no longer used to. After all, those were the Olympics, so it's not surprising that they seem to be bigger than they are now in training. And when I was a child, emotions and impressions were much brighter and grander.


The most striking impression must be of Yulia Lipnitskaya?

Yes, definitely. I was already in the same group with her at the time, I was very young, I was in the way all the time on the ice (laughs). I saw her preparing for the Olympics, so I watched and cheered for her in Sochi.
Once again I appreciate Anna's mind thanks to her bright answers.
 


[English Subtitles]

220708 Ice Show Anna Shcherbakova "The Prayer of Francois Villon" by Bulat Okudzhava


Oh wow, thank you so much for posting the subtitled version. Based on the music I assumed the poem was some sort of a love ballad, and then couldn't square Anna's expressions. Now I realize how brilliant (and bold!) the program is and how masterfully Anna interprets every single verse. Just beautiful!
 
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