Apocrypha
two dramatic poems by Lesia Ukraїnka
«Apocrypha» is The Les Kurbas Theatre's colorful and musically stirring marriage of Lesia Ukrainka's two dramatic poems - In the Field of Blood, and Johanna, The Wife of Chuza. Both works contemplate the apocryphal lives of Christ's followers after His death.
- Director: Volodymyr Kuchynsky
- Set Design: VlodKaufman
- Costumes: Natalia Shymin, Volodymyr Furyk
- Musical consultant: Natalia Polovynka
In the Field of Blood
An aged pilgrim passes a dry field in which a man, Judas, is tilling the soil. This land is the famous «field of blood» Judas purchased with the thirty silver pieces he received for betraying Jesus. The pilgrim, having asked Judas for a drink of water, provokes him into a conversation about his motivations for having betrayed Christ. Judas' arguments are intelligently grounded and persuasive: While Jesus may have been of high ideals, like all men, he was not adverse to life's pleasures; he enjoyed wine, being attended by beautiful women, and basking in the attention of his popularity. Judas insists that Jesus' divinity was an illusion, and therefore «selling» him was not so much an act of betrayal as a restoration of order. However masterfully Judas presents this case, it is nonetheless underscored by the complex interior monologue that dwells within him. He sold his Teacher and is now alone in this dry field. Welling with remorse and loss, Judas' reasoning begins to falter, and even he himself is not able to distinguish: Was his final kiss one of love or cold betrayal?
CAST:
- Judas: Oleh Tsiona, Oleh Oneschak, Andriy Vodychev
- Pilgrim: Tetiana Kaspruk, Maria Kopytchak, Natalia Parkhomenko, Mariana Podoliak
Johanna, the Wife of Chuza
As Johanna, the Wife of Chuza begins, Chuza is expecting Roman guests, Publius and Marcia. Having been left by his wife Johanna (who left him to follow Christ), he seeks a hostess to attend to them. At first he asks his mother Melchola to act as their hostess, but she refuses him this on the grounds that it is contrary to Jewish tradition to serve Romans. His servant Sabina also refuses this role as it is contrary for a servant to act as a hostess...but would consent if Chuza were to make her his wife. As Chuza seriously considers this option, Johanna returns home to Chuza and her family. In spite of having been humiliated by her departure and believing that her relationship with Christ was an immoral one, Chuza nonetheless takes her back as he is still in need of a hostess. He orders her to dress in concubine's attire, and makes her comply with all the brazen requests of his guests. Johanna follows these command in body, though not in spirit.
CAST:
- Chuza: Oleh Tsiona, Oleh Stephan
- Sabo: Ostap Kostiuk
- Melchola, Marcia: Tetiana Kaspruk
- Sabina: Maria Kopytchak
- Johanna: Tamara Gorgisheli, Natalia Parkhomenko
- Publius: Mykola Bereza, Andriy Vodychev
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
- Running time: 1:40
- Setup time: 3 hours
- Rehearsal time: 3 hours
- Dismantle time: 2 hours
- Lights: 20 overhead
- Number of Actors (with Choir): 12
- Technical and Artistic Staff: 5 (total number of participants 20)
- Theatre Space requirements: Italian Theatre with good acoustics
