Ivano-Frankivsk Drama Theater to Premiere 'Marusya Churai' Based on Lina Kostenko's Work

The Ivano-Frankivsk Drama Theater is preparing for a significant event in Ukraine's cultural life—the premiere of the play 'Marusya Churai,' which is based on the seminal work of Ukrainian poet and writer Lina Kostenko. This information was revealed during a press conference held by Rostyslav Derzhypilskyi, the director and author of the adaptation of the drama-song, who is also the theater's general director. The details were shared by a correspondent from Ukrinform.

Rostyslav Derzhypilskyi emphasized that 'Marusya Churai' is one of the most significant works in Ukrainian literature, and for him personally, working with this text is akin to 'touching the Bible.' The director noted that work on the play began last summer, and Lina Kostenko granted permission for its staging. To realize this project, a team of professionals has been assembled, comprising talented artists.

One of the key aspects of the production is the musical arrangement created by renowned Ukrainian musician Svyatoslav Vakarchuk. Derzhypilskyi shared his impressions of the music creation process: 'I saw how he created the music, how he lives it... Were we afraid? We were all afraid of living up to Lina Kostenko. We all have a desire to express our voice in this polyphonic production.'

The director also mentioned that Lina Kostenko expressed concern that the performance should not become traditional but should reflect the voice of modernity. 'Every phrase there is a cosmos, eternity, and immense philosophy. Another layer that struck me now is the question of Ukraine, war, and the human experience in war,' added Derzhypilskyi.

Oles Sanin, the director who worked on the video aspect of the drama-song 'Marusya Churai,' highlighted that this performance opens up opportunities for discussing contemporary themes such as responsibility towards history and the war we are living in. He stated, 'When there is war, the muses do not remain silent; they scream. It is just hard to hear their voice. We are trying to ensure that this voice is heard... For all of us, a huge question is the responsibility for what we create.'

Sanin also added that the performance has an improvisational nature: 'I don't think there will be two similar performances in principle because it will be born anew every time.'

Singer Natalia Polovynka, who also contributed to the production, expressed her belief that Lina Kostenko embodied the Ukrainian song in the character of Marusya Churai. She noted, 'This is a challenge for each of us—not to bend, not to reduce everything to emotions and feelings, but to stand in today's time at the level of the Cossacks, with our warriors who are at the front.'

Currently, tickets for the first five performances of 'Marusya Churai' in Ivano-Frankivsk have already sold out. Plans are underway to showcase the play in Lviv and Kyiv starting this autumn, and invitations have already been sent to Lina Kostenko.

It is worth noting that the historical novel in verse 'Marusya Churai' was published in 1979. The plot revolves around the legend of Marusya Churai—a Ukrainian singer, with real events from the 17th century depicted through the figures of historical personalities such as Bohdan Khmelnytsky, Yakiv Ostrianitsa, Severyn Nalyvaiko, Pavlo Pavliuk, and Yarema Vyshnevetsky. In 1987, the author was awarded the Taras Shevchenko Prize for this work.

It is also important to mention that the outstanding Ukrainian poet and writer Lina Kostenko is currently completing work on a new historical novel about the era of Hetmanate, which is generating significant interest among readers.

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