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Actor Viktor Sergachev of Chekhov Art Theatre dies at 78

His filmography includes more than 80 motion pictures

MOSCOW, February 27 (Itar-Tass) - People's Artist of Russia Viktor Sergachev, one of the oldest actors of Moscow's Chekhov Art Theatre, died on Tuesday at the age of 78.

Viktor Sergachev graduated from the studio school of the Moscow Art Academic Theatre (known for its Russian acronym MKhAT) in 1956. He was one of the founders of the Young Actors' Studio which served as the backbone of the Sovremennik (a contemporary) Theatre.

At Sovremennik, Sergache actively worked as an actor, participating in such milestone plays as the Naked King, Cyrano de Bergerac, Traditional Assembly, the Decembrists--Narodovoltsy (Supporters of the People's Will)--Bolsheviks trilogyl. Segachev was also a co-producer of Oleg Yefremov's play "Look Back in Anger". At that time Sergachev performed his own experiments as regisseur.

Sergachev came to MKhAT following in the footsteps of his teacher Oleg Yefremov in 1971. As a stage director he took part in producing Yefremov's "Old New Year". In 1996 he independently implemented a stage adaption of Fyodor Dostoyevksy's Crime and Punishment, the play in which he performed the role of the Author. Sergachev constantly participated as an actor in such plays as The Seagull, Ivanov, Unkle Vanya, Cherry Orchard, Unkle's Dream, Woe from Wit, Boris Godunov, and the Cabal of Pretended Saints. It is hard to enumerated offhand all the plays involving Sergachev. Until the last days of his life he engaged in three productions--the White Guard, the New American, and New Sufferings of Young W.

Sergachev enacted a lot of roles in films as well. His filmography includes more than 80 motion pictures such as the Dirk, "Time, Forward!", Three Fat Men, Three Poplars at Plyushchikha, Dead Souls, and many others ones.

The Moscow Art Theatre profoundly mourns Viktor Sergachev's passing and expresses deepfelt condolences to his family, relatives and near in kin, and to all those who knew and admired him, says a post on the Theatre's website.

The place and time for paying last respects to the deceased are to be announced additionally.