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“This play reflects my fate, the fate of Belarusians, and this generation,” admitted Sergey Kavalyov.
The playwright wrote the piece in the early 1990s, inspired by the tales and poems of Uladzimir Karatkevich, but its themes remain relevant today. The play tells the story of a bird state under a totalitarian regime ruled by an eagle. Amidst this, a hare observes events while preparing “carrot tea” and eventually saves a wrongly condemned sparrow — a rebel and fighter — from danger.
On stage appear symbolic characters: a heron, representing officials of the Belarusian authorities who obediently carry out criminal orders, and an owl, representing those indifferent to the fate of their homeland and society. The eagle, a dictator and thief, issues commands that make the lives of the birds unbearable. One sparrow rebels against the injustice, only to face a bound beak, an unfair trial, and a death sentence.
Karolina Tserentsyeva, who played the sparrow, admitted that developing her character was not very difficult. Raised in a family of oppositionists, she has a rebellious nature and personally understands what an unjust trial feels like. She created the image of a fighter who stands against a criminal system.
The character of the hare also emerged as one in which many viewers recognized themselves. The playwright Sergey Kavalyov was no exception — the hare is his favorite character.
“This hare is a philosopher, observing the whole bird state from the outside, but at the same time intervening and helping. I think the Belarusian character is best reflected in the image of the hare,” the playwright noted.
The play was also remarkable because Mateusz, a Polish actor who played the thrush, learned Belarusian specifically to participate in the project.
“At first, it was difficult,” the actor admitted, “but everyone helped me, my wife taught me, and I managed to perform.”
Professional actors also attended the performance to support their friends. Among the audience were Aleksandr Zhdanovich, widely known as Malyavanych, and actress Sviatlana Zelyankouskaya, who praised the amateur actors’ professional growth.
“It was wonderful to see with what enthusiasm, dedication, and soul the actors performed their roles. I was delighted to watch this play where my friends created such compelling characters. The finale impressed me the most. Yes, dictators should be sent flying, but we should live in our free Belarus, in our country, enjoying speaking our native language and being free,” Zelyankouskaya said.
The production was directed by Natallia Lokits, head of the Kupalka Theater Studio.
“I feel satisfied,” Lokits admitted after the premiere. “We started working on this play last year, trying to address relevant issues—politics always changes, and the play had to adapt. By the way, the actors themselves came up with the political jokes. The premiere was timed for International Theater Day.
We had a full house, and the audience reacted well, but I would like viewers to be more open in expressing emotions during the play. So we ask: if you want to laugh—laugh, if you want to cry—cry. Until we start laughing, nothing will move! This is why we work: to open human hearts.”
The Kupalka Theater Studio has existed in Warsaw since 2020. It began with children’s groups, and since 2022, adult amateur actors have joined the troupe.
Original article: Radio Svaboda
