Zone of Silence is a modern Belarusian epic in three independent chapters offering a panoramic view of everyday life under dictatorship and the taboos that are vehemently repressed.
In Childhood Legends, the Company share stories from their earliest years, lives lived under the shadow of authoritarianism. Diverse is a vibrant collective portrait of extraordinary Belarusians on the margins of society, from the self-proclaimed Best Dancer in the Universe to an armless guitar-playing former mafia member. The trilogy ends with Numbers, a cascade of grim statistics about life in Belarus.
Reviews:
‘They have a stunning vocal and physical command, performing with ease and urgency material that combines both verbatim and physical theatre, as well as utilising projected video and still images of great beauty alongside pounding live music. Their young director, Vladimir Scherban, is an extraordinary talent.’
Mark Ravenhill, The Guardian
‘Belarus Free Theatre” creates live theater to connect their world to ours, or whichever audience they are performing for. I feel no separation from the people around me, nor those onstage. What they pull off without ego is reminding us of our single common denominator. While enveloped by their creativity, I feel more than anything: human.’
Matthew Paul Olmos, New York Theatre
‘Packs a punch.’
Benedict Nightingale, The Times
Credits:
A modern Belarusian epic in three chapters
Directed and adapted by Vladimir Shcherban
Contributors to texts:
Childhood Legends: Natalia Kaliada, Nicolai Khalezin, Vladimir Shcherban
Diverse and Numbers: Vladimir Shcherban
Dramaturgy by Konstantin Steshik
Written and performed by:
Pavel Haradnitski
Yana Rusakevich
Aleh Sidorchyk
Dzianis Tarasenka
Maryna Yurevich
Original cast included: Anna Solomianskaya
Original Assistant to Director: Irina “Yaro” Yaroshevich
Assistant Director: Svetlana Sugako
Stage Manager: Yuliya Shauchuk
Producers: Natalia Kaliada and Nicolai Khalezin
Performed in Russian and Belarusian with English surtitles
Running time: 2 hour 30 minutes including an interval
Zone of Silence was first performed on 7 April 2008, underground in Belarus
European opening night: XII edition of the Europe Theatre Prize, National Theatre of the Northern Greece, Thessaloniki, 12 April 2008
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