“This Caligula is not a history lesson. It is a mirror. A scream. A warning.” – Avignon OFF Festival Review
ETC Member Ivan Franko National Theatre, one of the most prestigious and historically significant cultural institutions in Ukraine, proudly presents Caligula at Deutsches Theater Berlin, a bold and visually stunning production directed by the renowned Ukrainian director Ivan Uryvskyi.
Caligula, based on Albert Camus' classic philosophical drama, explores the descent into tyranny, the price of absolute power, and the moral complicity that allows destruction to flourish. This production was created in response to recent Ukrainian history and resonates powerfully with contemporary global struggles against authoritarianism.
The piece is brought to life by a dynamic ensemble, led by Vitalii Azhnov and Oleksandr Rudynskyi, who share the title role. They are supported by Tetiana Mikhina (Caesonia), Olena Hohlatkina (Helikon), Akmal Huriezov (Scipio), and Renat Settarov (Kereya).
The impressive stage design by Petro Bogomazov, winner of the prestigious GRA Award for best scenography, and the detailed costume design by Tetiana Ovsiichuk, recipient of the Shevchenko National Prize, create a stark yet immersive world that enhances the psychological tension of the play.
Since its premiere, Caligula has been celebrated at internationally renowned festivals, including Avignon OFF (France), FITS (Sibiu, Romania), MESS (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Kontakt (Toruń, Poland), and the Dublin Theatre Festival (Ireland). The elegant staging, emotional intensity, and urgent themes have deeply impressed audiences worldwide.
This production offers a rare opportunity to experience the avant-garde of Ukrainian theatre and to reflect on the country's resilience and artistic innovation amidst profound historical challenges.
The production was selected for support by the PROSPERO NEW platform, co-financed by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
