Outstanding Russian actress, “great old woman” of the Maly Theatre. The creative heiress of Maria Ermolova. A teacher who gave the stage several generations of talented students. Faith Pashennaya was born in Moscow. The daughter of the famous actor Nikolai Roshchin-Insarov. In the Maly Theatre, she began with the roles transferred to her from Yermolova. The closest Pashenna was the images of everyday drama and comedy, she played the heroines of Ostrovsky and Griboyedov. The actress was characterized by a huge temperament, romantic elevation with everyday authenticity, excellent command of Russian speech.
In the 20s, Vera Pashennaya performed in other Moscow theaters, participated in foreign tours of the Moscow Art Theatre at the invitation of Stanislavsky. Sometimes she starred in films: “Bespridannitsa” (1912, Larisa), “Thunderstorm” (1912, Katerina), “Secret of the House No. 5” (1912, courtesan Elsa), “Polykushka” (1919, Akulina), “Lame Lord” (1920, Katenka Mordvinskaya), “Woe from Witness” (1952, Khlestova), “Wolves and Sheep” (1952, Murzavetskaya), “Vassa Zheleznova” (1953, Vassa), “The Tale of the newlywed” (1959, Olgaevna, and then a leading actress). It was said that in this actress miraculously converged all the best qualities of the actors of the Maly Theater. Mikhail Tsarev wrote: Pashenna was born in art not for “sweet sounds”, but for “battles”. That's the grain of her talent. She is a wrestler artist who deeply believes in the powerful educational power of the theater, tirelessly and passionately defending the truth of life with all her work.
Among the best roles Pashenna on stage: Portia ("Julius Caesar"), Anna Andreevna ("Inspector"), Gurmyzhskaya ("Forest"), Evgenia ("In a bright place"), Lyubov Yarovaya ("Love Spring"), Kabaniha ("Thunderstorm").
People's Artist of the USSR (1937).
Laureate of the USSR State Prize (1943).
Laureate of the Lenin Prize (1961).
In 1904-1907 she studied at the Moscow Theatrical School. Since 1907 - in the Maly Theatre. From 1918 she taught drama courses at the theater.
In 1924 with N. A. Smirnova organized the Theatre Studio from the first issue of courses and became its director. From 1933 she directed several courses at the Theatre School at the Maly Theatre. Professor (1941).