Premiere of 'Sanatorium Zone'
On April 24, the National Theater named after Lesya Ukrainka will stage 'Sanatorium Zone' for the first time, a play inspired by the novella of the same name by Mykola Khvylovy. Directed by Dmytro Zakhogenko, the adaptation for the stage was crafted by playwright Nina Zakhogenko. Performances are scheduled for April 24, May 4, and May 24. Set in the 1920s within a closed sanatorium, the production creates a unique panopticon-like atmosphere.
About Dmytro Zakhogenko and His Work
Dmytro Zakhogenko, the chief director of the Lesya Ukrainka Theater in Lviv, is a recipient of the Les Kurbas Prize. His portfolio includes several productions that have been staged in Kyiv, such as:
- 'Rich-Rich' at the Wild Theater
- 'The World in a Nutshell' at the Theater on Pechersk
- 'King Lear' at the Theater on the Left Bank, scheduled for 2025
Mykola Khvylovy's works have frequently served as a foundation for theatrical adaptations. Theaters that have drawn from his writings include:
- The Golden Gate Theater with 'Love Revolution'
- The Theater on the Left Bank of the Dnipro with 'Romantica'
- The Malanka Chamber Theater with 'I (Romantica)'
- The Kirovohrad Puppet Theater with 'I (Romantica)'
- The Kharkiv theater group Slovo with 'Mothermotherland'
In late February 2022, the National Theater named after Lesya Ukrainka removed the words 'Russian drama' from its name, and since July 2022, all performances have been presented in Ukrainian. The theater also cut all ties with productions by former general director and artistic director Mykhailo Reznikovych, who fled the country two years ago.
'Khvylovy is a long-standing passion of mine, dating back to my university days. I remember wanting to stage 'Sanatorium Zone' as my graduation project. I have a deep love for Khvylovy—there is a sincerity and romance in how he approached major tectonic shifts. It is captivating, beautiful, and necessary.'
Dmytro Zakhogenko
With this production, 'Sanatorium Zone' is poised to become a landmark event in Ukraine's cultural landscape, shining a spotlight on one of the 20th century's most significant Ukrainian writers. The play not only aims to revive interest in classic literature but also provides a platform for discussing themes that remain relevant today. It further underscores the theater's commitment to promoting Ukrainian language and culture amid historical transformation.
As the Lesya Ukrainka Theater prepares for its premiere of 'Sanatorium Zone', it's worth noting how other theaters are also reviving significant literary works. For instance, the Ivan Franko Theater has recently staged a play inspired by a once-banned novel by Lina Kostenko. This trend highlights the ongoing relevance of classic literature in contemporary theater.