The play "Dostoevsky for Children" is based on the novels of the famous Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky - "People of Misery", "Netočka Nezvanovna", "Young Man", "The Brothers Karamazov" and the writer's diary. Excerpts from different works are united by the children acting in them and common human themes that are still relevant today: responsibility for one's neighbor, the border between love and hate, renouncing ambitions and desires for the sake of another, honor, dignity, strong love for loved ones. "I am interested in serious literature that touches on sharp, philosophical topics. Fyodor Dostoyevsky trusted children, he believed that they would be able to understand his complex works. Therefore, I want to talk to children about important topics openly, without entertainment, tricks or games", said the director about the idea of the play.
Director Paulius Ignatavičius created a performance for school-age students based on Dostoevsky's work. For the director, this performance is a huge responsibility and at the same time a great creative pleasure: "In the performance, we are playing an open theater. Everything happens right here, without hiding from the audience: at a huge round table, at which we will turn into various characters; right here we will find ourselves in a Russian town, right here we will return to Lithuania. Conditional, open theater allows this. And I am fascinated by this rather common but classic principle of theatrical illusion, when the table becomes a town, a child's bed or a place for communication with the audience."
We are delighted by the warm and positive feedback from the audience after the play "Dostoevsky for Children". The following comments from parents are especially inspiring: "One of the most profound performances for children and non-children. Common human values such as love, responsibility, sincere friendship are told so suggestively that it is impossible to hold back tears. The show just mesmerized us. Thanks to the entire creative team." A teacher who watched the performance "Dostoevsky for Children" with a group of schoolchildren writes: "A great performance and not only for children... Very deep and sincere. I really want to thank all the creators, and especially the wonderful actors, for awakening the goodness in small hearts and not letting it fall asleep in bigger ones... Good luck. I wish everyone to watch the performance and touch Dostoevsky's work in Vilnius's small theater."
By the way, this performance for children is also special in that both the audience and the actors meet on stage...
