- Oleg, are you happy right now?
- Don't wait for my positive reply!
- So, you are not?
- I have not said that either.

(A conversation that took place at the banquet
on the occasion of the "Woe From Wit" premiere.)

For some reason Oleg Menshikov is believed not to give any interviews. This is not true. It's quite another matter that he doesn't like to do it. As he considers it senseless and useless.

- Why? Those who don't know me won't understand anything about me all the same. And those who know me won't read it at all. They will rather talk to me and draw their own conclusions. Why will I say things about myself if it gives no information to people?

It's hard to disagree with such a point of view. Still the wish to ask something is very strong… Even if it is some trifle. Such as:

- What's your sign?
- Scorpio.

That explains something. That's why he has an absolutely impenetrable glance, which obviously contrasts with unconstrained manners and friendly intonation. Why, of course. Astrologers assert that Scorpios try to bite their own tales through all their lives.

- Can an actor not act?
- Onstage?

- No, in general.
- You know, I think there is no one who can live without acting. Whether he's an actor or not… Everyone is exposed to this infection. It's just that some people make it their profession and others… (laughs) stay amateurs.

- What is your criterion of the profession?
- Nothing. There can be no criterion. I like this actor and you, for example, don't. And we will never prove anything to each other. Although a very talented person becomes notable immediately. The way he listens, looks, laughs… The way he comes in and says hello… I don't know how to explain it. Moreover, I'll tell you a secret, if I had seen performances of many young actors who act in my performance now, I would have never invited them. I saw them later. After I had invited them. It was terrible! (Laughs.) Nevertheless, I am sure they are very talented people; and the time will come and these names will become very famous!

- Did your success change your life?
- It didn't change it at all. Although… It depends on what you mean. No, of course, some things were changing in my life. Some - to the better, some - not quite to the better…

- Such as?
- It'll take much time to discuss that… Fame, popularity - it can be interesting only within two months, and then… it impedes.

- In what sense?
- In everything… Just imagine it - someone stares at you 24 hours a day.

- Awful!
- That's what I am talking about.

- Do you enjoy working?
- In different ways. There are, of course, some minutes, seconds, yes. I guess, I act only for them… Actually, I think what brings me onstage is the opportunity to be honest. It is impossible to always stay honest in real life. Honest with myself, with those who are around me… And there… There we are somehow different, we are someone else… And we can be honest. And when others look at me, it doesn't bother me at all. Those are the terms of the game. They are set. And I can laugh, I can cry… I don't just play a role, something is happening inside of me. Some processes, which push me here and there…

- In my opinion, your staging of "Woe From Wit" is a story of the misunderstood love. Do you have a definition of this term?
- (Smiles.) What is love? How I can find the definition? Who can find it? No, someone has had it… Someone has told me something funny… They asked a little boy what was love and he answered, "It's when she is eating a candy, and I feel sweetness in my mouth".

- Do you agree with this boy?
- That is the thing… But all this is "a said thought is a lie". Everyone is different. No, I don't have a definition of… happiness.

- "Happiness is the existence of someone who understands you". Is the understanding important to you?
- Mostly, it's not. These words may seem wrong. Because I know, they understand me. Maybe that's why I have the insolence to say I don't care about it. If they didn't understand and accept, it would probably worry me a lot. But… It's the chance to be with myself onstage what's the most important for me. What is "to understand"? How can they know what I am thinking about? Everyone will hear something new in the same word. The important thing is that with our feelings, sufferings we give a person some impulse to stop, think and remember something, be sad about something…

- Are you a feeling or thinking person?
- Let's say: feeling, but analyzing. Mind pressures, of course. You make yourself do this and not do that. But it's not that bad.

- What quality do you value the most about yourself?
- I guess, there's more than one. First, I try to cultivate respect for people inside of me. Second, I think I am patient enough. And… I am not bustling, if you wish. (Laughs.)

… That's pretty much all. Because the remaining time of our 45-minute meeting was dedicated not to answering questions, but to very graceful and refined avoiding them. It was like a children's game, "Don't say "yes" and "no", don't take "black" and "white". Will you go to the ball?" Well, after all, the most important thing is that the ball took place. And it's the best to associate with Oleg Menshikov while sitting in the auditorium. When he is onstage.