When I drove 3 hours from London towards the event, I knew this Saturday’s garden party would be profoundly special. Upon arriving, Natalia Rubtsova had already begun her introduction to the play where she was a co-author about the Romanov family’s final days. She started with her research and historic pictures and presentation, transporting us back to those dark, mysterious moments. We stepped directly into the Romanovs’ world – a heartbreak history that lingered long after .

We sat in a  beautiful Victorian house. In front of us, stark black-and-white family portraits made Tsar Nicholas II and his children feel present among us, silent witnesses to the room and the unfolding historical reel… As Natalia gracefully lit a candle, recited poetry, gently played the piano, and performed in Russian, she carried us back to that Ipatiev mansion on the last day of their royal  lives.

Natalia’s performance as Tatiana – one of the Tsar’s Nicholas II daughters began with Pushkin’s poem ‘I Loved You’ at the piano — so gentle, so romantic, yet achingly poignant, touching our souls.  She then shared Tatiana’s tender memories of her sisters, brother, mother and father… making the impending horror feel crueler still. She revealed Tatiana’s faith, love, and strength – all stolen along with her young life at just 21 years old.  

This part of intensive history has always gripped me personally. When I wrote about Kenneth MacMillan and his psychological ballet ‘Anastasia’, I explored how he first portrayed that ‘dark, expressionist nightmare’ moment on Royal ballet stage; MacMillan didn’t seek to solve the mystery, he laid bare the agony of being lost, an ‘Outsider’ haunted by cellar visions and a past she could neither grasp nor escape.

Natalia’s play felt like the other side of that coin. Where MacMillan delved into psychological torment, Natalia brought us face-to-face with the real people in their final hours — with such tenderness, grace, and humanity (that last glimpse of the family children s favorite puppets left with the guard, no trace of the children remaining…).  No more myths, just the heartbreaking reality of that family.  All those left us thirsting for deeper truth, deeper understanding.

The entire afternoon was thoughtfully set in Father Aleksandr’s beautiful 1880s Victorian home, the headquarters of the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Romanov Society.  His collections enriched the history surrounding us. Dr Maria Harwood, the Chairman of the Society, thanked Natalia and added more insights into the historical background of the family and the play.  

Thanks for the tea and cakes, freshly made by Natalia and Father Aleksandr, after the play. It gently shifted us back to reality: a sunny, joyful July day in England, a peaceful ‘garden moment’ in our lives!  

Wei Wei Tian, London based Business Psychologist/Author (specialising in ballet, cultural narratives, career etc) 

contact : tianvv@gmail.com