Bakhnov, V., Kostyukovsky, Ya. Tarapunka and Shtepsel: Interludes and Sketches (Tarapunka i Shtepsel. Intermedii i stsenki), 1957. In Russian.

Бахнов В., Костюковский Я. Тарапунька и Штепсель. Интермедии и сценки.
Москва : Советская Россия, 1957.
120 с. : ил. Мягкая издательская обложка.
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Bakhnov, V., Kostyukovsky, Ya. Tarapunka and Shtepsel: Interludes and Sketches (Tarapunka i Shtepsel. Intermedii i stsenki).
Moscow : Sovetskaya Rossiya, 1957.
120 pp. : ill. Publisher’s softcover.

This 1957 collection is a quintessential artifact of Soviet variety theater (Estrada), capturing the peak popularity of the legendary comedic duo Tarapunka and Shtepsel. The book features the sharp, witty interludes and sketches written by the prolific satirical team of Vladlen Bakhnov and Yakov Kostyukovsky. These authors were the architects of the duo’s stage personas and would later go on to write some of the most iconic masterpieces of Soviet cinema, including The Diamond Arm and Kidnapping, Caucasian Style.
The duo, consisting of Yuri Timoshenko (the lanky, Ukrainian-speaking Tarapunka) and Efim Berezin (the straight-man, Russian-speaking Shtepsel), represented a unique cultural bridge within the USSR. Their performances were a masterclass in linguistic play and social satire, often using their distinct dialects and contrasting temperaments to poke gentle but pointed fun at Soviet bureaucracy, everyday life, and domestic foibles. Published during the "Thaw" period, this volume reflects a time when satirical comedy was gaining a new, more vibrant lease on life in the Soviet Union.
The 120-page book is illustrated with charming drawings and photos that evoke the atmosphere of mid-century variety shows. It serves not only as a script for performers but also as a literary document of 1950s humor. Bakhnov and Kostyukovsky’s writing is characterized by its rhythmic dialogue and "catchphrase-ready" punchlines, which made Tarapunka and Shtepsel household names from the post-war years through the 1960s.
For collectors of Soviet theater history, enthusiasts of mid-century satire, and fans of classic Soviet cinema, this 1957 edition is a delightful find. It preserves the textual foundation of an act that defined an entire era of televised and live comedy in the Eastern Bloc.