The "Koleso" Theater from Vitebsk plans to stage a production with a live rock band in the new season

An open palm with a spiral twisting inward is the symbol of the "Koleso" People's Youth Theatre. It is both a sign of readiness for new acquaintances, projects, and ideas, and a reminder that everything in the world moves in circles. And on September 14, the theatre opened its eighth season in the "Vitebsk" Concert Hall. "You won't find this online, don't wander – come, come and wander," the actors enticed the audience to the performance "Vbrod".

This season was loudly launched by three musical projects of the theatre – DonnyJepp, "Kukhnya", and "Chaynik band". The audience of "Koleso" is special. They come not only to be passive observers but also to participate in forum performances: the audience, if they wish, becomes an actor who can change the course of the performance.

"The previous season was very eventful," said the theatre's director, Vladislava Tsviki. "Last year, we actively participated in the filming of a movie with the working title 'Miracle about Chagall' (the premiere will take place in October 2013 under the title 'Chagall – Malevich'. – ed.). First, we filmed in Vitebsk, and then 14 actors went to St. Petersburg, where they were involved in supporting roles for another three weeks."

The "Koleso" Theatre also traveled to Moscow for the retro festival "Happy Thirteenth" with a musical farce based on the works of Daniil Kharms, Kazimir Malevich, and Sebastian Brant as part of the "Forteпроун" project. During the festival, Muscovites and guests could immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the past, become participants in a traveling circus performance, listen to street musicians, and ride retro roller skates.

The participation in the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" festival turned out to be eventful for "Koleso", where the actors worked on the platforms of international competitions. At the children's competition, they embodied fairy tale characters and acted as hosts. At the adult competition, they participated in theatricalized plastic compositions.

After a short break, the theatre is ready for new achievements. A master class on alternative theatre with Jalmar Jorge Hoffre-Eichhorn has already taken place. This director from Germany was delighted with the repertoire of the "Vitebsk" Cultural Center's collective, which works in the forum theatre genre, and showed interest in cooperation.

Every Sunday until the end of September, actors and musicians are recruited for the main cast of the theater on a competitive basis. However, anyone can join the Art Project (a studio at the theater). Training sessions here are paid.

Vladislava Tsiviki assures that the new season will be no less rich in content than the previous one. Each month, as tradition dictates, a new forum-play awaits the audience; plans include a physical performance with a live rock band; a premiere of a comedy based on a play by Maria Arbatova is expected.

Maria Lyalkina, Vitbichi