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I was born in St Petersburg, Russia. My mum owned a theatre company; I have lots of memories from my early years of hanging out backstage with actors and technicians. In 1989, my mum and my stepdad co-founded Sharmanka: a theatre of kinetic puppets made from wood and scrap metal that perform to haunting music and synchronised light. This is when I began to learn the basics of technical theatre.
When I was 13, we were invited to exhibit in Germany. Once there, it became apparent that we would not be returning to Russia. My mum knew that there was no chance for Sharmanka to survive in Russia, a country that was falling apart. She was determined to take it somewhere it could grow. That’s what got her through all the hurdles of borders, languages, and cultures.
Eventually, various winds brought us to Scotland: a country we fell in love with immediately. We felt very welcomed by everyone we met. It doesn't matter how prosperous or beautiful a place is, it's the people that make it.
I studied Technical Theatre and afterwards, I toured around Scotland with theatre companies - we took theatre to lots of local communities; I saw so much of bonny Scotland this way and I gradually built up my name. I worked hard, which is so much easier to do when it’s something you love and believe in - and people recognised it.
Creative work is great, but in many senses it’s a rollercoaster. I am very lucky to have had amazing mentors in my life whose teachings have given me a great set of tools. Sometimes I do various technical jobs and other challenges - I recently cycled the length of Britain. I want to see my full potential. I’ll rest when I’m 80 - I'd be happy to sit in a rocking chair then. Until then, I’m going to move, make, and create.
Sergey Jakovsky
I was born in St Petersburg, Russia. My mum owned a theatre company; I have lots of memories from my early years of hanging out backstage with actors and technicians. In 1989, my mum and my stepdad co-founded Sharmanka: a theatre of kinetic puppets made from wood and scrap metal that perform to haunting music and synchronised light. This is when I began to learn the basics of technical theatre.
When I was 13, we were invited to exhibit in Germany. Once there, it became apparent that we would not be returning to Russia. My mum knew that there was no chance for Sharmanka to survive in Russia, a country that was falling apart. She was determined to take it somewhere it could grow. That’s what got her through all the hurdles of borders, languages, and cultures.
Eventually, various winds brought us to Scotland: a country we fell in love with immediately. We felt very welcomed by everyone we met. It doesn't matter how prosperous or beautiful a place is, it's the people that make it.
I studied Technical Theatre and afterwards, I toured around Scotland with theatre companies - we took theatre to lots of local communities; I saw so much of bonny Scotland this way and I gradually built up my name. I worked hard, which is so much easier to do when it’s something you love and believe in - and people recognised it.
Creative work is great, but in many senses it’s a rollercoaster. I am very lucky to have had amazing mentors in my life whose teachings have given me a great set of tools. Sometimes I do various technical jobs and other challenges - I recently cycled the length of Britain. I want to see my full potential. I’ll rest when I’m 80 - I'd be happy to sit in a rocking chair then. Until then, I’m going to move, make, and create.