Vitalina Bibliv and Nazar Zadniprovsky on theater during the war
Famous Ukrainian actors who played the main roles in the TV series House of Happiness (New Channel) about theater during the war. What changes have taken place in their work over the past year?
March 27 is International Theater Day. Over the past year, it has become a kind of anti-stress and support for many Ukrainians. This is confirmed by the actors, who feel a completely different energy from the audience. Vitalina Bibliv and Nazar Zadniprovsky, stars of the TV series House for Happiness, which airs on the New Channel, shared their observations.
“I work at the Golden Gate Theater, which is located in the basement. It’s already a shelter, so the audience doesn’t have to go out and look for a place to hide during the performance. When the air raid alarm sounds, we continue to play. This is our big bonus. But if the air raid is announced before the performance, the beginning is delayed. “We always wait for the audience,” says Vitalina Bibliv. “I’ve noticed that everyone has become more patient and kind. It’s about both actors and the audience. We feel that people are more grateful and focused now. Before, the audience could chew something or talk, but now everyone is sitting and just not breathing.”
Nazar Zadniprovsky says that he has had a long break from work since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
“My colleagues and I missed each other very much, because from the beginning of the hostilities until October we did not play on the stage of our native Franko Theater at all. In general, since the full-scale invasion, we went on stage for the first time in July. “It was at the Lesya Ukrainka Theater, which sheltered us,” he says. “Now, in our hall, which can seat a thousand people, we usually have about 300 people sitting in on performances. It’s a big difference when the hall is full or only a part of the room is filled. But it’s still a holiday! Communication with the audience is an incredible joy.”
House of Luck of the Bibles and Zadniprovsky
As for the repertoire, Zadniprovsky is convinced that people go to the theater for positive and moral relief.
“Now is the time when people need comedy, to improve their mood,” says the actor. “After watching a play, you should want to live. Everything is difficult in everyday life now, and after going to the theater it shouldn’t get even worse. The audience does not come to us for something complicated.”
Watch the Ukrainian comedy series “House of Happiness” from Monday to Thursday at 16:10 on New Channel and on YouTube!
Photo: press service
