Raeshnik

Raeshnik

 

(1) A participant in the performance of the raek entertainment at fairs who recited explanations to accompany the showing of the pictures.

(2) The person stationed on a balcony (raus) in front of the balagan who called the public in to view the performance; also called ded-raeshnik or balagannyi ded (barker).

Continuing the traditions of the Russian skomorokhi (folk actors), the raeshniki ridiculed the arrogance and stupidity of the aristocracy in their rhymed monologues. Outstanding raeshniki of the 1870’s and 1880’s included Ia. Mamontov of Nizhny Novgorod, whose art was praised by M. Gorky and F. Chaliapin, A. Butiagin in Moscow, and Brusentsev and Ded Seryi (Grandfather Gray) in St. Petersburg.