Ukrainian Play “Caligula” Set to Debut at French Avignon Festival Amid War

The Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater will present the play “Caligula” at one of the oldest and most prestigious theater festivals in the world in the French city of Avignon.

Set against the backdrop of war, “Caligula” offers a contemporary interpretation of the tyrannical Roman emperor, resonating with Ukraine’s struggle for independence.

The director of the production, Ivan Urvytskyi, noted that this is one of the first plays created under the conditions of full-scale war. “The topic of dictatorship needs to be addressed, and we need to work with it. This is a story about humanity repeating its mistakes, but we must remember them to avoid repeating them again,” Urvytskyi said.

“Through stunning set design, the play delves into the themes of power and morality, illustrating the timeless theme of dictatorship and tyranny. Caligula’s reign is a metaphorical prison, reflecting the pervasive surveillance and control characteristic of totalitarian regimes. Echoing the Orwellian themes, the production explores the manipulation of truth and the erosion of individual freedoms,” is stated on the festival’s website.

“When the war broke out, I had great doubts about whether I should continue with the play. But then I thought that one of the lines in the play was evil. We know that the brutal dictator Caligula was killed after only four years in power. And as history shows, evil must be nipped in the bud to prevent it from germinating," said Urvytskyi.

Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater was founded in Vinnytsia in 1920 by a part of the actors of the Young Theater led by Hnat Yura and the actors of the New Lviv Theater led by Amvrosiy Buchma. After moving to Kyiv in the summer of 1926, the theater began operating in the building of the former Solovcov Theater. Since the early 1990s, the theater has been actively integrating its work into the European cultural context — touring in Germany, Austria, Greece, Yugoslavia, Italy, Poland, and the USA.

The performance is presented in La Manufacture in cooperation with Ukrainian Institute and the support of the European Union and the International Renaissance Foundation within the framework “European Renaissance of Ukraine” project as a part of the Pavillon du Futur Ukraine 2024.

Despite the ongoing war, Ukrainian theater is experiencing a remarkable revival. Theaters are unexpectedly packed, drawing large audiences who seek solace and cultural enrichment amidst the conflict. Many theaters, initially transformed into volunteer centers, have resumed their activities with renewed vigor, becoming vital spaces for community support and cultural expression.