1 of 3 | The full cast of Hell Dialogues is seen during a rehearsal. Photo courtesy of Kate Baranovskaya
Oct. 5 (UPI) — A groundbreaking new play, originating from a team with deep-rooted connections to Ukraine and Russia, is set to premiere in New York City in the coming month.
Entitled Hell Dialogues, this play is inspired by the war which occurred due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The script, adapted by Daniel Veksler—a Russian-English translator and journalist who emigrated from the Soviet Union in 1989—combines elements from Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit and Plato’s Dialogues.
Produced by Kyiv native Anna Zinenko and Lucy Palamarchuk from Locus29, the same organization that presented the screening of Ukrainian filmmaker Oleksandr Dovzhenko’s 1930 silent film Zemlya at the Fridman Gallery last year, Hell Dialogues explores the struggles faced by a group of artists amid the ongoing conflict.
In a news release, Locus29 stated, “Instead of abandoning their project, they chose to channel their concerns into their art. To delve deeper into the exploration of human nature amidst turmoil, they decided to incorporate fragments of Plato’s Dialogues, renaming the play Hell Dialogues.”
Directing the play is Masha Kotlova, a student of renowned Russian theater director Anatoly Vasiliev. Bringing a unique approach to the production, Kotlova has developed a “psycho-physical acting technique” which seamlessly combines physical and verbal improvisation to immerse the audience and actors in the present moment, giving each rehearsal and performance a distinct flavor.
The captivating costumes for Hell Dialogues are designed by Sasha Mazhara, an artist who fled Ukraine due to the invasion. The producers emphasize the relevance of these costume choices, stating, “This choice was driven by the desire to delve into the timeless themes of war, democracy, society, and the human condition. For these artists, the theater became their refuge, the sole territory to express their thoughts and emotions amid the unfolding crisis.”
The highly anticipated premiere of Hell Dialogues is scheduled for November 3, with a series of performances throughout the first half of the month. Don’t miss your chance to experience this captivating production. Get your tickets now!
