Producer Zholdak presents play 'Life with an Idiot' in Kyiv

Kyiv, November 23 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Ukrainian premier of a play entitled "Life with an Idiot" of Ukrainian Director Andriy Zholdak and based on the novel by Russian writer Viktor Yerofeyev will take place at the Zhovtnevy Palace in Kyiv on Wednesday.

According to a press release given to reporters at a press conference hosted by Interfax-Ukraine, Zholdak and Yerofeyev will hold master classes on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Commenting on the play, Yerofeyev said: "I noticed [some of the director's] own approaches were not related to the text. This demonstrates the great talent of the director. His personal decisions: dramatic approach, video approach, [this] impudent, daring, audacious [play] is very much alike its director." He also said: "This is an absolutely outstanding piece based on a rather scandalous novel. I was astonished." The writer noted that each member of the audience "will appreciate the play on his own way."

In turn, speaking cultural life in Ukraine, Zholdak said: "We have to introduce the idea of a cultural revolution in Ukraine... We have to create our own Al-Qaeda in culture... We have to become cultural terrorists in our country. We have to make big, explosive, provocative and sharp projects."

According to the press release, the premier of the play "Life with an Idiot" took place in March 2007, as part of an official program entitled "Sibiu – the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2007." The play was a joint project of the National Theatre in Sibiu (Romania) and the Svoboda Zholdak Theatre, and has been performed at festivals in many European countries.