In the heart of Omsk, the VII All-Russian Festival of Monodramas, CHAT, is set to unfold, bringing with it a cascade of solitary voices that echo the depths of human experience. This year, the festival's curators, Sergei Timofeev and Dina Uglirzh, have sifted through a sea of 70 submissions to spotlight 11 monodramas that promise to captivate and provoke thought.
Uglirzh, with a knowing smile, speaks of a 'telepathic connection' that has developed over seven years of collaboration with Timofeev. This unspoken understanding has streamlined their selection process, allowing them to intuitively recognize the essence of a compelling performance. "A talented monodrama speaks volumes from the first moment," Timofeev adds, emphasizing the instinctive nature of their choices.
The festival will open with "Voices," a poignant adaptation of Svetlana Alexievich's "War's Unwomanly Face," performed by an actress whose vitality and charm are as palpable as the narrative she embodies. This year's submissions have revealed two prevailing trends: a surge in stand-up styled monodramas and a penchant for biographical narratives.
April 5th will be a homage to classical literature, with performances that breathe new life into timeless tales. The festival's venues have been thoughtfully chosen to match the spirit of each monodrama, ensuring that the essence of the performances is not lost in translation from page to stage.
Leading the jury is Pavel Rudnev, a connoisseur of monodramas, alongside Elena Popova and Sergei Denisenko, both revered for their critical acumen. The festival, running from April 1st to 6th, is not just a showcase of talent but a dialogue between the solitary performer and the collective audience, a space where the whispers of solitude become a shared experience.
