The joke that it is February 54 outside seems quite apt today. True, because of the climate change we soon will be living not according to the nature calendar, rather according to the calendar of events marking one or another season. Those include the inevitably attractive International Theater Day, which we celebrate on March 27. Every year the awarding ceremony of the theater prize “Kyiv Pectoral” is timed to this holiday.
Out of numerous definitions of the word “theater” I like Jean Cocteau’s expression the most: “Theater is a lie that speaks great truth.” The lie means here pompous interiors, ancient items, expensive costumes and decorations, blood, snow, and other numerous imitations of the material things. Great truth means thoughts and feelings. Sometimes I ask theater goers why they come to theater. The most frequent reply is for relief, distraction from everyday routine, and entertainment. As I observe the audience in Suziria Theater (a home-like place, both in terms of genre and traditions), I first of all see how the fruit of combination of thoughts, emotions, assessment, and contemplation sprouts, shapes, and ripens. Therefore I for one consider theater a place of life paths’ coordination.
It is important for every person to understand whether s/he corresponds to the eternal and modern things, and whether his/her aesthetic and intellectual level meets the reality, and in this respect Lepage’s expression proves to be right: “People go to theater to remain people.” Thank God, there are many theater goers in Kyiv.
In 2012 Kyiv theaters offered eighty-seven premieres for the true admirers of Melpomene. In these productions theater shows concentration on coming to terms with modern life in reality not as much of our country or our city, but on the scale of family, humanity, understanding of the planet as a common home, person’s feeling of responsibility for the eternal endless and actual flow of life. There are few productions that present life in gruesome tones. They speak loudly of the faint fire of desires. The theater brightly demonstrates the beauty of high feelings, strong emotions, and instead of artificial substitutes offers the adrenaline of beauty of existence, taste of emotionally rich life. There is much contemplation on personality’s dignity in life hardships. It seems that the understanding of the highest value of spiritual wealth is bale to protect us from the brazen stealing, ugly fighting for power, money, and offices, typical of present-day reality. One can hear the disturbed note of understanding success solely in realization abroad – study, get married, and work. In a word, the theater activates the springs of life, agitates the mind, and persuades the heart. It comes as a wanted test for the grammar of heart and punctuation of soul.
Theater draws attention to the total lack of feast. Without joy of life any economic progress – real or suggested – is worthless. Synthetic nature of the art of theater makes it an extremely efficient instrument in shaping the cultural community. High level of life theatralization is one of unique features of Kyivites’ community. Unfortunately, people tend to forget about it. For example, the opening of a Dnipro bridge never becomes a festive proof of Ukraine’s unity. It is crowned only with the high act of cutting the ribbon.
