Vitebsk puppeteers created a play based on Karatkevich - with folk rituals, songs, dances, and incantations

The "Lialka" Belarusian Puppet Theatre in Vitebsk will present a premiere today – the adult play "The Violin of the Swamp and Heather Wastes". The production, based on the works of the most prominent Belarusian writer of the 20th century, Vladimir Karatkevich, was directed by the theatre's artistic director, Honored Art Worker of Belarus, Viktor Klimchuk.

As reported by Kristina Bondareva, head of the theatre's literary and dramatic department, this production will complete a triptych of plays created on the "Lialka" stage based on Karatkevich's works. "The Forgotten Treasure," based on the fairy tale "The Devil's Treasure," was aimed at young audiences, while "The Boat of Despair," based on the novella of the same name, was for adult audiences. The direction of these plays was also carried out by Viktor Klimchuk.

"The one-act fantasy play 'The Violin of the Swamp and Heather Wastes' will transport the audience to medieval Belarus. At that time, books were banned, music was the only weapon, and wandering minstrels were the saviors. The best of these musicians, who carried love for his native land in his heart and reminded people of forgotten freedom, honor, and joy, was the violinist Ales Ban-Zvirba. 'If you don't compose such a song in honor of the Motherland and freedom – you are worth nothing,' Vladimir Karatkevich reminds us through Ban-Zvirba about the true purpose not only of a creator but of every person," Kristina Bondareva shared about the new work of the Vitebsk puppeteers.

The play is rich in dances, traditional Belarusian rituals, songs, and incantations. Seven actors are involved, mostly young people. For instance, Marina Morozova, who plays the role of Marta, has her first leading role. Sergey Tolkach plays her beloved Yanuk. Yuras Frankou plays Ales Ban-Zvirba. The adaptation, puppets, and costumes were created by Anna Sidorova, and the scenography and projection by Alexander Sidorov. Diana Yurchanka worked on the choreography, and Alena Yavnevich on the musical arrangement.

Starting in October, the play "The Violin of the Swamp and Heather Wastes" will be included in the repertoire of "Lialka". This creative season will be the 28th for the Vitebsk puppeteers.

We remind you that the premiere based on Karatkevich's work - the play "Christ landed in Grodno" - was presented a few days ago at the Yakub Kolas Drama Theater in Vitebsk.

Themes: culture, books, theaterRegions: Vitebsk regionCities: Vitebsk

Tatsiana Matveeva