Murder in the capital's Zavodski District — a controller takes on the investigation. Attended the premiere of "Kupalaucy"

In the premiere performance of "Free Kupalaucy," based on an unknown author hiding under the pseudonym Kamila Tsien, controller Zinaida Yurievna undertakes to uncover the circumstances of a death in the "50th Anniversary of October" Park.

It was with this production that "Kupalaucy" concluded their sixth theatrical season in exile.

Павялічыць

From the play's poster

Among the series of political plays in recent years, whether about informers, emigration, or political prisoners, "The Last Stop" stands out with its focus on the lives of ordinary workers from the Zavodski District. They finish their shift and return to their families or sit on a bench on payday to celebrate the money that's landed in their account. They drink — some more, some less, to make the grey weekdays easier, and they also speak Trasianka. Yet, paradoxically, they shy away from the Belarusian language.

"First they call kettles 'imbryks' (teapots), and then you'll be bringing them parcels!" — Yurievna, whose son and daughter-in-law left for Poland, blurts out her painful truth. Yurievna blames his "Belarusianness" for her son's absence from home — it's easier that way, because otherwise she'd have to admit that things aren't so good for them. But everything is "normal" for them, isn't it?

Both Yurievna and her work partner, controller and strong-drink enthusiast Harkavy (actor Sergei Chub), are outside of politics, but it has still entered their home — Harkavy's son is also in emigration. Yurievna herself was even threatened with dismissal as an "enemy of the people" because of her activist son, but, as the boss said, who would then work if we fired all the enemies?

Павялічыць

Sergei Chub and Valentina Hartsuyeva. Photo: "Nasha Niva"

For director Alexander Hartsuyev, as for the entire team working on the premiere, the transition from pure Belarusian to choice Trasianka was not easy. It was especially difficult for Valentina Hartsuyeva, who took on the main role of controller Yurievna with the maximum number of lines.

An additional challenge for everyone present in the hall was the European heat — some spectators could not withstand the stuffiness and were forced to leave the show early. It's not difficult to imagine how the actors felt under the spotlights.

Kamila Tsien's novels "I'll Come for You in August," "Next Stop: Death," "Company Secret" gained popularity among Belarusian readers due to their simple yet detective-like narrative style.

In a conversation with "Nasha Niva," publisher Andrei Yanushkevich noted that, in his opinion, Kamila Tsien overturns the perception of fiction.

"In three months, Kamila Tsien's new book became a bestseller. Belarusians demand such literature — a masterful, captivating, original detective story with humor, where they can see themselves or take a virtual journey to that Belarus they are currently deprived of," the publisher commented earlier.

Павялічыць

Sergei Chub and Valentina Hartsuyeva. Photo: "Nasha Niva"

Staging a play no worse than the book was an additional challenge for "Kupalaucy." In short, while adapting the material to the stage, the director added his own touches, deviating from the original in some details.

It turned into a city journey on the 6th Minsk tram, accompanied by stop announcements and the rumble of construction: the play's action unfolds during the construction of the national football stadium, a gift from the Chinese.

At the center of attention is the disappearance of the 17-year-old son of Mr. Mikhail (Ihar Sihov). The last time the boy made contact was in the "50th Anniversary of October" Park several months ago. Now, secretly from his wife, Mikhail goes to the park every evening as soon as it gets dark and digs it up in search of any traces. After finishing, he changes clothes on the last tram of the schedule and goes home, only to return to the excavations tomorrow.

Such strange behavior could not but arouse suspicion in the tram driver (Katsiaryna Yavorskaya). And not only that — the woman is directly afraid of the "freak" passenger who consistently changes clothes on her tram. However, she asks not the police, but her friend Yurievna, known for her determination and ability to read people's characters by their faces (a bonus from years of working as a public transport controller), to sort out the situation.

Spoiler: she and her partner succeed. However, the price for this is the loss of friends.

Павялічыць

Valentina Hartsuyeva and Katsiaryna Yavorskaya. Photo: "Nasha Niva"

The material for the production is written and presented in such a way that almost everyone will find their own "Easter egg" here. Residents of the Zavodski District will enjoy a stroll through familiar places. For some, Trasianka will be music to their ears; for others, the controllers' vests will send shivers down their spines. Someone will drool while the actors devour Olivier salad, or recall how they themselves almost fell for a phone scammer's call when one reaches the main character.

And someone will smile bitterly during yet another manifestation of Belarusian intolerance (where does this myth about tolerance come from?). The play's characters swear about Chinese construction workers, and about gays, and about "politicals," criticizing Europe where they have never been, but the Belarusian system also takes a hit: on television — lies, and the construction of stadiums, no matter how you look at it, is still better than opening new prisons.

On stage, a concentrated snapshot of very modern Belarusian reality (the new stadium, for example, only opened last summer) seems to emerge. And it is unlikely to please everyone, as it contains much that is unpleasant: alcoholism, gambling addiction, repression, low wages. And, of course, crime — after all, the entire storyline is built around the investigation of the mysterious disappearance of 17-year-old Lyosha. In the pagan tradition of Belarusians, it immediately becomes overgrown with myths and legends. Plus, it seems, also in Belarusian style — the crime is ultimately solved not by the police, but by a quick-witted, passionate, and caring employee of "Minsktrans."

Tickets for the two premiere shows traditionally sold out very quickly. But with the start of the new theater season, "Kupalaucy" promise a tour with the new production in at least the cities of Poland.

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