Broadway Musical: 'Anastasia Journey to the Past', Fact or Fiction?

The Broadway Musical Anastasia Journey to the Past is based upon the conspiracy that the youngest daughter of the Romanov family Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov had survived execution and Anna Anderson’s claim is she was the lost princess. The musical moderately depicts the political and social climate of the Russian Revolution. The lifestyle Russian citizens experienced during 1927 under communist rule is exemplified through songs, such as "A Rumour in Saint Petersburg", and the influence that the rumour of Anastasia's survival cast upon society. The eradication of the aristocratic Russia is explored through lyrics of the exiled aristocrats and their perspective of the rise of communism. Bolshevik General Gleb Vaganov, the antagonist, represents the communistic perspective and the influence Bolshevik ruling had on society.

Anastasia reflects the lifestyle during the Russian revolution and the influence the rumour of Anastasia’s survival had on society. The song "A Rumour in Saint Petersburg" highlights the social standards, with the line “can’t cook an empty promise in an empty pot” referring to the famine in 1927. The poverty is further communicated in the line “two-dozen total strangers live in two small rooms,” depicting the living standards in Russia. The current communist rulings are mentioned in the lines “Professors push the brooms” referring to the equal status everyone had and “our favourite colour's red” refers to the symbol of communism. The song highlights the rumour of Anastasia surviving the Romanov execution in 1918, connecting to the conspiracy of 1922 where many believed Anderson was Anastasia. As is the case in the musical, there were many articles and rumours spread about her, however in 1927 a trial confirmed she was Franziska Schanzkoaska. The musical is historically inaccurate due to it being set in 1927 as Anderson, the expected Anastasia, was discovered in 1922. However, it is mentioned in Anastasia that it was a welcome distraction that brought hope to Russian society and those exiled, similar to historical reactions to Anderson. The Rumour was influenced by the various reports of train and houses being searched by Bolshevik soldiers and police. These rumours survived, purposely misleading people to believe the Romanovs were alive, since Russia had recently signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in 1918 with Germany. The German government responded and sent a telegram requesting “the princess of German blood” be returned to them. Anastasia accurately depicts the confusion the rumour spread in governances and society. Additionally, Anastasia explores the poverty and the lifestyle communism inflicted during 1918-1927.

The Romanov execution and the representation of the downfall of the aristocratism is marginally depicted, through numerous scenes and songs throughout the musical. Anastasia is historically inaccurate when detailing the life of the Empress Maria Feodorovna. The Empress travelled to Denmark via Britain not to Paris. Corresponding though, The Empress is recorded to have had hope that her family had survived the revolution. In the song "The Land of Yesterday" Countess Lily Malevsky-mlevitch sings of the days before communist Russia. The lyrics “we sold our brooches” reflects on how in order to survive they sold precious jewellery, such as Grand Duchess Xenia sister to Tsar Nicholas, who sold £10,000 worth of necklaces and bracelets. The aristocratic families who remained in Russia were discriminated and blacklisted in the 1920s preventing them from attending university, school and obtaining work. The song "Stay I Pray You" lyrics “though the scars remain tears will never dry” reflect the strong emotional struggle the aristocratic families experience leaving Russia. Evidence of the struggle can be seen through the diaries of Vladimir Golitsyn stating since 1917 they had been “pushed about imprisoned, evicted or exiled.” The musical references of the execution of the Romanov family, a pivotal event that empowered the Bolsheviks to fully eradicate the aristocracy in Russia. The horrific events that Anastasia would have faced on the night of the execution is signified through the lyrics “I’ve seen flashes of fire, Heard the echo of screams.” Furthered, in the reprise of the "Still/The Neva Flows" “In that cellar in Yekaterinburg all over again.” In a report written by Yakov Yursovsky he recounts “the shooting went for a long time,” and they would have created flashes of light. Yurosky reported that they wore “bodices entirely made out of diamonds,” this detail is referred to in the musical as Anya gives Dimitri a diamond she found in her clothes. The musical reflects on the destruction of the old aristocratic governance and the Romanov reign resulting in Bolsheviks claiming political power.

Anastasia is set during when Bolsheviks seized power and began enforcing communist authority. The character Gleb Vagnov depicts the Bolshevik opinions and views of the new soviet Russia. Gleb at the begging announces “the Tsar’s St. Petersburg is now the people's Leningrad”. This statement made in the musical is moderately true however it wasn’t renamed in 1927 but in 1924 after the death of Vladimir Lenin. The patriotic attitude the Bolsheviks pressed upon the people for the new communist rule is seen through the lyrics, “the Neva flows, a new wind blows.” The Neva is a river that flows through Petersburg and is a symbolic representation that Russia still continues to move on without the Tsar. The second phrase “a new wind blows” represents the arise of communism. Gleb's father, Stephen Vaganov, who was historically involved in the execution, makes reference to his father that “he did a proud and vital task” confirming the executioners felt it compulsory to execute the Romanov family for communist Russia to thrive. Gleb reflects the patriotic influence communism inflicted and their involvement with the execution that aided the rise of Bolshevik Governance.

Anastasia to an extent accurately reflects the political and social climate of Russia between 1918-1927. Highlighting the lifestyle of civilians and influence the Anastasia rumour had on Russia following the execution. The downfall of Russian aristocrats and the Romanov execution is evident in lyrics comparatively accurately, depicting the political changes to the new order. Gleb characterises the communist patriotism and enforcement of communism during 1918-1925 by reflecting on his father’s actions in the execution.