N. V. Gogol, well aware of the essence of the Russian person and his mentality, would probably not be surprised to learn that his work is relevant a century and a half after its publication. The time is different - the problems are the same. Gogol's hero Poprishchin dreams of money, fame, comfort, and a general's daughter as a wife. But what can he do - he is just a titular counselor. The hero mournfully questions why he has such a fate, what he did to deserve his unenviable position - and finds no answer. The situation literally mirrors that of modern employees with low salaries, dreaming of a life according to the standards presented to them by society. On television screens, a bright yet empty and stylish life shines, and they want to live that way too. After 200 years, little has changed in our society: bosses have swapped carriages for Mercedes, but one cannot enter their ranks without the right connections. The symbol of the career ladder in the play was an ordinary one. Ultimately, Poprishchin will climb it, but at the cost of his mental state and sanity. Now he is the boss, ruling the world of his madness. In chasing imposed ideals, he lost himself, and now he can expect no help. Only he could help himself, great only in madness, a very small Gogolian man. Duration of the play: 1 hour 40 minutes without intermission. For more plays, visit our website in the theater section.