“Political theater” makes a comeback

Hugging each other in a friendly fashion, Moroz and Vitrenko, Tymoshenko and Lytvyn, Yushchenko and Yanukovych, and other Ukrainian political figures are briskly dancing in the middle of a snow-covered city square. All around are hundreds of onlookers. The spectators laugh heartily in response to the politicians’ familiar remarks. This jolly bunch may soon visit our city, too, for they are actors from the satirical street theater “Political Vertep Theater” now touring Ukraine.

“This project was conceived 18 months ago, on the eve of the presidential elections,” says Zhytomyr-based actor Serhiy Rohov. “The idea was conceived by Kyiv writer Volodymyr Danylenko, who is originally from Zhytomyr. Dozens of volunteer actors traveled around to various cities and villages in Ukraine, putting on street shows. The previous government really stood in our way: they didn’t let us perform, our equipment was smashed, ours cars were searched, and we were even accused of robbery! But, in spite of everything, people liked our street shows, and this year we have launched a new season of political vertep.”

About 40 professional actors from various cities of Ukraine agreed to take part in “Political Vertep-2.” They all gathered in Zhytomyr to rehearse for a few days. Recently, 10 teams of actors spread out to all regions in Ukraine to entertain city and village residents with their open-air productions.

“In our shows we do not campaign for any political force; we make fun of all the characters. After all, our shows are satirical,” Rohov says. “Ukrainian politicians often don attractive ‘masks,’ trying to win over voters. Meanwhile, our masks are in fact unmasking the politicians!”

The street-based “Political Verteps” will be touring the country until the end of March. The actors promise to visit every city and large village.