Act I:

 

Tenants and builders assemble on the newly built Cheryomushki estate, filled with

excitement and optimism for a better life with better housing. Lucy, a construction worker, 

waits for Sergei, her on-off chauffeur boyfriend with a problem with punctuality. Boris 

returns from his travels looking for a woman to marry, and meets Lidochka, a booky museum 

guide. Meanwhile, newlyweds Sasha and Masha mourn the fact that Moscow's current 

housing situation means they have to live separately, and cannot share a bed. 

Drebyednyetsov, an older, powerful bureaucrat, promises his new, high maintenance wife 

Vara the best flat in Cheryomushki. Baburov, Lidochka's father, is given the sad news that the 

house he grew up in will be demolished, and he will be relocated to the Cheryomushki estate. 

Together with Lidochka, Sasha, Masha, Boris and Sergei, the friends take a drive through 

Moscow, to find their new flats on the estate. They are greeted by tenants who are angry 

with the estate manager, Barabashkin, who is refusing to give them their keys.

 

Act II:

 

Lucy helps Boris, Lidochka and Baburov enter their flat using a crane. It becomes apparent 

that Boris is falling for Lidochka, but she pushes him away when he tries to kiss her. Similarly, 

Lucy and Sergei realise that they do indeed love each other. Barabashkin, Drebyednyetsov 

and Vara break through the wall of Lidochka's flat, and discuss their hopes of making two 

flats into one larger flat, thus leaving Lidochka and Baburov with nowhere to live. Lucy is 

outraged, and summons the builders to take a stand against Barabashkin, Drebyednyetsov 

and Vara. Meanwhile, Sasha and Masha settle into their new flat, until countless 

neighbours-to-be appear at their door, hoping to see the flat so they can make plans for their 

own. It quickly turns into a housewarming party. Lidochka, now homeless, meets Boris, and 

together they imagine a better life together.

 

Act III:

 

New settlers appear, hoping to move into their new flats. Instructed by Lucy, the tenants and 

builders have created a magical garden, which Barabashkin attempts to destroy. A musical 

fountain in the centre of the garden drowns out Barabashkin's yelps, Boris is late to meet 

Lidochka, but a magical clock ensures that he is punctual. Boris explains to Lidochka that he 

sabotaged Drebyednyetsov and Vara's relationship in an attempt to win back the flat, but 

this makes Lidochka angry. In the garden, there is a bench which forces the sitter to tell the 

truth. Sitting on the bench, Sergei declares his undying love for Lucy, Barabashkin and 

Drebyednyetsov admit that they have exploited the innocence of the tenants, and Vara tells 

Drebyednyetsov how corrupt she thinks he is. By this time, Drebyednyetsov believes the 

bench is making her speak this way, but Barabashkin notices that the bench is broken, and 

Vara is telling the truth willingly. The tenants are given their keys and fall in love with 

Cheryomushki, and Boris and Lidochka realise that they are meant to be together.

 

"Rachel Higgs and Richard Oakman (Directors)"