Vitebsk puppeteers staged Chekhov's 'The Black Monk'
The Belarusian "Lialka" Theatre has staged Chekhov's "The Black Monk". The premiere of the play "Spakusa" based on the famous story by the classic author will take place today in Vitebsk, the theatre informed a BELTA correspondent.
The production of the play for adults was carried out by the artistic director of the theatre, Viktor Klimchuk. He emphasized that the play features unusual scenography, with characters represented not only by puppets but also by the actors themselves. Moreover, the production turned out to be very musical: excerpts from famous operatic works enhance the dramatic tension of the action.
"This is my first time staging Chekhov, but I think I will turn to this writer again, whose talent is recognized worldwide," said the director. "The play provokes thought and makes one reflect."
"Spakusa" poses complex questions to the audience, offering an opportunity to delve into the psychology of a talented, passionate individual whose pursuit of self-expression at some point begins to destroy the destinies of loved ones.
The scenography, costumes, and puppets for the premiere performance were created based on sketches by Natalia Burnos, a young artist from St. Petersburg. Young actors are involved in the production: Mikhail Klimchuk plays Kovrin, Valery Zimnitsky plays the Black Monk, and emerging actress Marina Morozova performs her first major role. In the new production, the young constellation of "Lialka" Theatre artists is supported by the recognized master of Vitebsk theatre, Yuri Frankov, who has dozens of roles to his credit, with his skill and acting talent.
The Belarusian puppet theater "Lyalka" was founded in Vitebsk in 1985 at the Yakub Kolas National Academic Drama Theater as a puppet troupe. The first performance "Ded i Zhuravl" based on the play by Vitaly Volsky was staged on April 20, 1986 (this day is considered the theater's birthday). In 1990, the puppet troupe became an independent company with its own building in the city center. The company of the Belarusian puppet theater "Lyalka" is well-known in Belarus and abroad, and has received Grand Prix awards, prizes for best performances and roles, and diplomas from international festivals.
Alena Tikhonova