Shostakovich struggled all his life for approval from the Soviet powers, falling in and out of favor.   Svetly Ruchei “Bright Stream” was a piece that should only have secured Stalinist approval, but was pulled from the repertoire in under a year.  Written in 1935, this light comedy hits home a powerfully Soviet message everywhere, messages of plentiful harvests, a richer society, and a happy lifestyle for common people.

The primary set is designed entirely from shocks of wheat and a variety of fruits and a parade of giant produce introduced the final scene.  Food was visible in every scene as if to convince the audience it could never be far from them.  This message might well have been needed following years of 1931-3 blight and famine in Ukraine that led to the death of millions.
The first act clearly evoked a rural town, yet also made clear that all its residents are not only literate, but well-supplied with material goods.  The audience met the leading characters as they exchanged gifts to greet each other.  Packages, household wares, and a phonograph give the impression that the Soviet style of life has greatly improved the material wealth of those working the land.  The dance moves of pairs or trios of dancers specifically evoked machine operations such as oil derricks or machine assembly lines, again emphasizing Soviet productivity.
The popular cello adagio may be found here, showing the playful romantic nature of the ballet.

As with most Soviet period stories, the ending is happy: despite a plot comprised mainly of the characters teasing or pranking one another, everyone is happy with their lives of love and plenty.  All leading women end paired with a man and everyone can celebrate their plentiful harvest together- if the audience did not sympathize in their own lives, they could at least enjoy the idealized boons of Soviet life.