Blue

In the second half of the 19th century, Dostoevsky foresaw the threat of a revolution that would transform into totalitarian rule, mercilessly exposed ideological fanaticism, showed the birth of terrorism. His diagnoses are shockingly timely.

The danger lies not only in the activities of political visionaries-madmen. The threat becomes nihilism, the inability to distinguish between good and evil. Dostoevsky draws in Biesy a portrait of Nikolai Stavrogin, a man tainted by evil. As an X-ray illuminates human nature from the inside, brings out what is most deeply hidden in it, reaches the darkest places of the soul. It poses questions about where the fascination with evil comes from and why it so often seems more attractive than good.

Biesy in the STU Theater is a show, showing the world unfolded between the aristocratic salon and the mystical atmosphere of the Orthodox Church.

The staging of Krzysztof Jasiński at the STU Theatre (...) is now in its tenth season. And as I realized after Friday's reaction from viewers, it has a chance to hold on for years to come. Jasiński treated “Biesy” with great piety. New actors are still coming, there are many famous names in the cast. And the atmosphere of the song is introduced by the Voskresinnia Choir, specially brought from Ukraine, singing live.

(...) Despite its historical costume and dark “church” atmosphere, Jasiński's performance becomes a surprisingly timely diagnosis of today's society, in which women play an increasing role. And so it is here when you look at the interesting roles of Maya Barelkowska (Barbara Stavrogin), Anna Cieślak (Lizawieta Tuszyn), Beata Rybotycka (Maria Lebiadkin) or Karolina Gorczyca (Daria Szatov).

Jan Bończa-Szabłowski, “Biesy” at STU Theatre, Rzeczpospolita, 09.04.2017

The performance was realized with the financial assistance of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.