People’s Artist of the USSR, stand-up comedian, actor and head of the Satirikon Theater, Arkady Raikin was born on October 24, 1911. Raikin was famous for his monologs, skits and short comic songs. Raikin became famous in November 1939, when he won the 1st All-Union Competition for Variety Artists with his performances “Chaplin” and “Mishka.” The same year, he was included in the company of the Leningrad Theater of Variety and Miniatures, and within three years, in 1942, became the theater’s artistic director. Every year, Raikin came up with new shows in which he played dozens of roles. His performances evolved; they acquired the depth and philosophy which was unusual in the variety genre. In his monologs, Raikin addressed the most topical, sensitive issues. His work as the theater’s director required time and effort: he had to introduce new performances and attract writers, directors, artists and composers. Raikin’s talent and charisma attracted gifted people, including Mikhail Zoshchenko, Viktor Ardov, Vladimir Polyakov, Vladimir Dykhovichny and Mikhail Zhvanetsky, who worked with the theater at different times. Raikin and Polyakov created the shows “For a Cup of Tea,” “Do not Walk By” and “Honestly Speaking.” Raikin and Zhvanetsky launched the “Traffic Light” program in 1969, featuring legendary skits like “Avas,” “Deficiency” and “The Era of the Machines.” Rakin’s other shows included “Love and Three Oranges,” “From Two to Fifty,” “The Best-73,” “Its Majesty Theater,” “Give or Take,” “Faces,” “Peace to Your Home.” The last performances were staged at the Moscow Skits Theater, established in 1981. In 1991, it was renamed Raikin Satirikon Theater.
