A Natalka Poltavka for every regional center

President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine and the First Lady, Kateryna Yushchenko, attended the premiere of Natalka Poltavka, starring Oleh Skrypka, at the Ivan Franko National Academic Theater, the president’s press service reports. President Yushchenko has attended concerts by Skrypka, the leader of the rock group VV, but this time he wanted to see him in a new genre. The president of Ukraine is convinced that the development of Ukrainian theater and cinema can be fostered only by knowing the processes and innovative aspects of these spheres. After the performance the president conversed with the cast and the director, Bohdan Stupka. They discussed the possibility of staging Natalka Poltavka in all the regional centers of Ukraine. The production premiered toward the end of the 85th season of the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater, and was directed by Oleksandr Anurov, a Kyivan in the past and now a resident of Moscow. Skrypka, the music director, wrote his own compositions for the show and rearranged Mykola Lysenko’s legendary melodies. He also played the role of Vyborny. In a short while the play has become a hit in the Ukrainian capital’s drama repertoire.