Kharkiv Berezil Theater presents “Shevchenko 2.0” for the first time at the Ivan Franko Theater

The performance of the Kharkiv Berezil Theatre based on the play “Shevchenko. Dreams” will be performed for the first time today, November 12, at the Ivan Franko Theater in Kyiv. Inspired by the personal diaries of Taras Shevchenko, the play seamlessly blends history and modernity, real-life events and theatrical performance, lyricism and dark humor, avant-garde music and tribute songs to Shevchenko’s poetry performed by singer EL Kravchuk.

This was discussed during a presentation at the Media Center Ukraine.

The play was created in the spring and summer of 2024 by the Kharkiv Academic Berezil Theater named after Taras Shevchenko. It was premiered in Kharkiv and later a shortened version was performed in Moryntsi, the birthplace of the Ukrainian poet.

“The play is called ‘Shevchenko. Dreams’. It’s like a phantasmagoria that emerges at the intersection of past and present – what might have been, what could be, certain fragments from Shevchenko’s diaries, unspoken moments that can grow into whole scenes. It really is a very modern performance, and I think it offers a very unexpected perspective on Shevchenko, both as a classic and as a person. I believe that the audience will leave today with a new understanding,” said Dmytro Ternovyi, the playwright.

According to Kostiantyn Ponomariov, the play’s set designer, the audience will see large sets and a variety of colorful costumes.

“It is a very cheerful, very entertaining, provocative play, also in the aesthetic sense,” he added.

At the same time, the creator of the concept and the songs’ lyrics, academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Borys Hryniov, noted that the Kyiv performance would differ from previous presentations in Kharkiv and Moryntsi, as the play continuously evolves based on the situation.

“Actually, this will be the third performance of this play, and it is different from the first and second – a completely different production. So those who saw it in Moryntsi, and I know the people of Kharkiv will come to support us, will see a slightly different show,” Borys Hryniov said.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news