VALENTINA Sanina-Shlee. A sad play about love, fashion, friendship and betrayal

They say it is very difficult to play love and friendship on the stage. What about life? In life it is virtually impossible. But frequently we substitute the desired for the actual, paying no attention to the object of our feelings. Sometimes we play a mono-performance, whose end we all know…

“Thou seest we are not all alone unhappy:
This wide and universal theatre
Presents more woeful pageants than the scene
Wherein we play in.”
William Shakespeare

Actors:
Valentina Sanina – actress, designer
Aleksandr Vertinsky - artist, composer, poet, singer, "Russian Pierrot"
Georgi Matveevich Shlee, a.k.a. George Shley – an officer of the White Army, businessman, theatrical manager, patron, Sanina’s husband, “Russian sturgeon”
Greta Garbo – actress
Volynsky – breather, Aleksandr Vertinsky’s acquaintance
Leo Bakst – theatrical artist
Vogue magazine correspondent
Paris emergency room doctors
The concierge of a building on 52^nd Avenue in New York City

Place: Ukraine, France, USA

Time: XX century

Act I

Can you ask much of a woman?
Aleksandr Vertinsky

Scene I

1918. Kharkov. Sumskaya Street 6. Artistic cabaret of the Artist Society.

9PM. Noisy. Smokey. Colorful. All women wear colored open dresses with frills and fake jewelry. Only a young woman at the bar is in a tight, black, closed dress with a white crystal cross, who looks like an Angora cat.

Breather Volynsky
Aleksandr, please meet Valentina Sanina, a young actress.

(Valentina Sanina gives her hand to the young man. But at that time many at the bar recognize Aleksandr Vertinsky and surround him).

Valentina Sanina
Are you not tired?

Aleksandr Vertinsky
Of what exactly?

Valentina Sanina
Idolatry.

Aleksandr Vertinsky
Tired. Looking for a double for myself.

Valentina Sanina
How sad. And for how long?

Aleksandr Vertinsky
Three years.

Valentina Sanina
You should look for a cure.

Aleksandr Vertinsky
How?

Valentina Sanina
Go to a monastery.

Aleksandr Vertinsky
Let’s go look at the program instead.

This was the beginning of their affair. They were both born in Kiev, but met only here. He was 29, she was 24. They had one common feature – theatricality. Aleksandr Vertinsky showed it on stage, while Valentina Sanina did it in life.

Scene II

1918. Kharkov. Hotel "Astrakhansky". Corner of Nikolaevske Square and Monastyrsky pereulok, in the left wing of the Nobility assembly building.

Valentina Sanina
I came to ask you for forgiveness.

Aleksandr Vertinsky
Why such humbleness? It does not fit you.

Valentina Sanina
Today everyone ask everyone else’s forgiveness since it is Forgiven Sunday. Please forgive me in the name of Christ.

Aleksandr Vertinsky
God will forgive. “I will endure, I will tolerate, I will be quiet”.

Aleksandr Vertinsky
This is all, that is left of you, —
A bundle of letters and a couple of hairs.
Only the heart skipped a beat,
There are no tears left in it.
Everything was over, so normal,
So logical and simple was the end:
You said, today in the bedroom
People do not bring their hearts.

Men! Do not show all your love to a beautiful woman, it tires her. Valentina got tired and left.

Aleksandr Vertinsky
You were my Columbine for such a short time.
You left with an Odol representative.
Far away, into his donkey kingdom
The king of clubs is taking you.

Valentina Sanina became a fatal woman for Aleksandr Vertinsky. She would not leave his heart for many-many years. Twenty years later they would meet on the other side of the planet. And after another 10 years he will write these lines:

…Where are you fading, growing old?
Years catch women in a net of wrinkles
This is how an orchid fades in a glass,
Unless you throw an aspirin in the water.

It is good that you are not here, in the Soviet Union.
What would you do here, when
Our women are not vamps, nor medusa,
They are cleverly graduated from college
Soldiers of science and labor!…

_{Moscow, 24 April 1949}

Act II

And then – cities, the steppe, roads…
_{Aleksandr Vertinsky}

Scene I

On the platform of a small railroad station between Kharkov and Sevastopol.

George Shlee
What is such a beautiful woman doing in this God forsaken place?

Valentina Sanina
Running away, like everyone else.

George Shlee
Where? Shall we go together?

Valentina Sanina
I am not sure about that…

George Shlee
O! I have big plans for the future, but, alas, not in this country.

Valentina Sanina
You are an optimist…

George Shlee
I just want to live a normal life. Tired of war.

Valentina Sanina
Where is a normal life?

George Shlee
Wherever you wish. Now I am poor as a church mouse, but in the near future will make you rich. Such a brilliant requires an expensive case. Do you have money for the road?

Valentina Sanina
Are you going to rob me?

George Shlee
No. I already stole you.

After this they walked through life together.

Sevastopol, Constantinople… Fake Greek passports for Valentina’s last jewels.
Greece, Italy… Valentina’s attempts at roles in mute films…

Scene II

1922, Paris, Champs Ulysses

Passer-by
Madame, sorry! May I ask you a question?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
Yes, of course.

Passer-by
You look unusual. These days the fashion is so strange: all the women wear they hair short and all these terrible baggy dresses. But you… This wonderful long hair! And your dress – it is femininity itself. Could you make another one just like this for my daughter?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
I will be glad to help your daughter.

Passer-by
Thank you, madame!

http://static.starlook.ru/img/2568422.star_image_big.1299474577.jpg

Scene III

Paris, Champs Ulysses, theatre "Femina", cabaret “The Bat”…

Leo Bakst
Valentina! You look great today! The dress is simply wonderful. Is it your work again?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
Thank you, Leo. Designing dresses is my release valve.

Leo Bakst
How long have you been in Nikita Baliev’s troupe?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
It is the second season. But I only get small roles. I have no future here.

Leo Bakst
Why don’t you do something serious, which you have talent for? Your sewing is beautiful, original and brave. You have a wonderful taste, excellent style.

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
Thank you. I’ll think about it.

1923, The Atlantic Ocean, New York… Little money, but lots of plans and ideas and a briefcase full of strange dresses…
1925, an ad in a paper “Will dress the Russian community cheap and well”…
1928, the creation of a fashion house Valentina Gowns.

Scene IV

1930s, Manhattan, Upper East Side, Valentina Gowns house of fashion

Vogue correspondent
Valentina! Today your house of fashion is one of the most expensive and recognizable in the United States. What is the secret of your success?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
I don’t chase after fashion. My creations are beyond fashion. People will be able to wear them after 10 years even after 25 years. "Design for the century ahead. Forget what year it is".

Vogue correspondent
On magazine covers you often demonstrate your fashions. Is it difficult for you to find models for your creations?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
No. But I am the best advertisement for my models.

Vogue correspondent
What do you find most important in clothes?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
Luxurious simplicity and nobleness.

Vogue correspondent
They say that, when working with clients, you behave like a dictator. Is that true?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
Yes. I think that if a client comes to me, then he (or she) has to trust me fully. I don’t accept any compromises here. I am a professional, so I know better what works for the client. For instance, I really like the black color. But many people do not understand it. Trust me, this color carries the future of fashion. I do not like silk colors in clothes and no fur, except for the sable. One can only wear mink to the football games. I also hate high heels. I will not work with a woman, if she refuses to take off her high heels for my gowns.

Vogue correspondent
Your gowns are beyond competition. Why?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
The motto of Valentina Gowns - "No disgusting brooches or bows!" Every one of my gowns carries a certain seductively noble image. Is it not true that every woman wishes to create an astonishing effect? In my gowns a woman can easily hug a man, without fear that it will wrinkle.

Vogue correspondent
I heard that one of Broadway theatres offered to work with you.

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
Right now I am working on gowns for Bob Sinclair’s "Westside story". Soon you will be able to see them on Broadway.

Vogue correspondent
Many famous people are among your clients…

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
My clients are Catherine Hepburn, Paula Negri, Claudette Colbert, Gertrude Lawrence, Gloria Swenson and Greta Garbo

Vogue correspondent
How would you describe your relation with Greta Garbo?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
She is my best friend.

Vogue correspondent
How would you describe the relation between Greta Garbo and your husband George Shlee?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
They are friends…

Act III

How wonderful it is with no theatrical scenes,
With no long and "noble" explanations,
With no hysterical betrayals,
With no late apologies.

And how ridiculous the strange game,
Where the loss is great, the winnings are a pity,
Your partners cheat,
And you cannot leave the game!
_{Aleksandr Vertinsky}

Scene I

Manhattan, Upper East Side, Valentina Gowns house of fashion

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
Good day, miss Brown! Thank you for coming over on my request.

Greta Garbo
Hello, Mrs. Shlee. Is anything wrong with my dress?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
No. I simply wanted to confirm the design, Greta... I had an idea…

Greta Garbo
You know who I am?

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
I do… Does it change anything?

Greta Garbo
No.

Valentina Sanina thought that she became the best friend for Greta Garbo. She was so proud of this friendship… Greta and Valentina even looked alike. Sometimes they even went out together in identical gowns, and got mixed up.

Scene II

Fitting room at Valentina Gowns.

George Shlee
You really do look like my wife.

Greta Garbo
Really, you think so? Mr. George, am I right? May I get dressed?

George Shlee
Yes, yes, of course… I have never seen undressed stars so close. I am amazed by your beauty…

Greta Garbo
My Own… Maybe, it’s because of your wife’s aroma creation?

George Shlee
Maybe …

http://data12.gallery.ru/albums/gallery/74091--36265942-.jpg

Scene III

New York, 52nd Avenue.

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
Why did Greta buy an apartment in this building? To be closer to you?

George Shlee
I don’t know.

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
I should not have let the two of you travel to Europe together. My business could have waited.

George Shlee
…

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
What did you find in her? Her character is as horrible as mine. Of course, she is much younger than me.

George Shlee
It’s not that…

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
Are you in love? Then marry her! Why do you torture both me and yourself?

George Shlee
Yes, I love her, but she will never marry me… And, besides, you and I have so much more in common!

Scene IV

1964, Paris, hotel Crillon.

Greta Garbo
Can you help my companion? His heart is not good.

Emergence doctors
Mrs. Garbo! We are amazed! How lucky that we see you! May I ask you for an autograph?

(George Shlee died in a room at the hotel Crillon, having left almost all of his estate to Greta Garbo).

Scene V

1980, New York, 52^nd  Avenue.

Valentina Sanina-Shlee
Good day! I would like to know, has Mrs. Garbo got in already?

Concierge
Hello, Mrs. Shlee. Yes, she has. You can come out.

Concierge
Mrs. Garbo. You asked to call when Mrs. Shlee comes downstairs.

Greta Garbo
Thank you.

After George’s death Valentina Sanina and Greta Garbo lived in the same apartment building for over 20 years, not speaking with each other. Moreover, each one paid the concierge so he would prevent them from meeting accidentally. Valentina was the first to go. She was buried alongside her husband. Greta Garbo died a year later.

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts
William Shakespeare

http://www.theartgallery.com.au/valentinasanina/5_painting/index.html



There was a time when theatricality was fashionable. People would overplay and get caught in their own nets, and hence would lose sense of the present. These days sincerity is fashionable. But quite frequently we only play sincerity.

Russian version:

http://www.etoya.ru/pro_fashion/2012/5/24/24917/#VALENTINA_Санина-Шлеe._Грустная_пьеса_о_любви,_моде,_дружбе_и_предательстве_