You can hear and read more about the generation of millennials, the generation of quintals. And it would seem that the theater for modern youth is something retro. And here it is not! This spring, in the Zhytomyr Academic Oblast Puppet Theater, the 2nd Regional Contest of Theater Arts “Melpomene Stars” took place. 25 collectives have joined him, among them – very young actors. They presented the jury scenes in three nominations: “The Classic Theater”, “The Original Theater” and “The Doll Theater”. It inspired Zhytomyr.Travel to talk about the theater and the first roles with actors and educators

Serhii Soloviov, founder of the studio puppet compliment, master of dolls, puppeteer, winner of theater competitions
“I have undertaken to conduct all interviews in Ukrainian. I’m training so much ”
“The puppet theater is not only for children. Children come here with permission or with the assistance of an adult. The puppet theater is generally for the person. And there is no difference whether this person is big or small in age. After all, a beautiful performance is a performance that is interesting for a child and an adult. Both the child and the adult see this performance at their level. Why is the puppet show easier to be perceived by the viewer? Dolls are playing, and we are all said to have been from childhood. We associate ourselves with this doll. This is psychology. What told me? When we go to the Museum of Wax Figures, there are creepy sensations. Because there are dolls of the same height as ours … And with the doll on the contrary: the doll is like and similar to us, but a little bit grotesque, and the perception is completely different ”
“… I went to the theater with a portrait doll. I have a large collection of such dolls. At first I signed them usually, I mentioned the name, then I came up with a quote. Then it turned out that the doll seemed to speak. After this focus a lot of people approached, looked at the doll and started with her dialogue. It was very interesting for me to watch over it ”
“Children are children. They want to play with a doll, with the character that she represents, “live”. They want to touch her, pat the dog, so that the protein sat on the shoulder … There is no interactivity in the computer »
Julia Rybak, a teacher, participant of the jury of the competition “Melpomene Stars”
“Impressions from the performances of theater groups – incredible! Children are very devoted and sincerely playing roles, transmitting the mood and experience of their hero ”
“Entertaining young actors play in the puppet theater. I was curious to watch the students play the role of adult characters, and raise their completely non-childish themes and serious questions in their performances ”
“I hope that every actor and actress have discovered during the festival-competition something new, interesting and, what is more important,” found “their viewer”
Natalia Pantus, teacher, co-coordinator of the “Melpomene Stars” contest
“For children who are engaged in Easter eggs, wraps, embroidery, modeling, technical modeling and many other types of creativity, in Zhytomyr and Zhytomyr region, they organize various events and events. But for children who love the theater, they want to try to play as an actor or an actress, there was no opportunity to show them, especially for them to meet like-minded people, to look at the game of others, to exchange some experience. And besides, taking into account the large number of theatrical circles for pupils’ youth in Zhytomyr region, a year ago it was decided to launch such an event that would bring together young theaters. ”
“… Of course, I played in the theater. Every year at the institute they had to play a play. Therefore, at one time she also performed as a screenwriter, directors, and actress. Theatrical art is close to me, acceptable and very interesting. Now I remembered one of my roles, which was very successful. The role of the clown. Classic couple of clowns: one is funny and the other is sad. To the Day of laughter, such an action was being prepared at the village club. The viewers liked the show, reprises. In this club there was a spectator who was not very close to theatrical art, he is unlikely to come to the theater with flowers or the puppet theater – with dolls. However, all the pennies that the audience of the village club had in their pockets began to throw us on stage and said that they still had not been able to see such a game (laughs)”
Yurii Tarasenko, Chief Director of the Zhytomyr Academic Regional Puppet Theater, winner of international theatrical festivals
“On the stage from the kindergarten. I’ve played an insect that saves the fly. Then there was a variety of miniature theater … During the winter holidays for pupils, we showed the New Year’s fairy tale, and during the summer months of vacations – variety miniatures. My first performance was in the winter fairy tale. I was Jagik, the son of Grandma Yagi. Comic role is very funny. Baba Yaga stole one minute before the New Year and did not give it to the children. And around it there are various vicissitudes. Very good play, by the way. I even thought to repeat it as my childhood reminder ”
“Also played by Prince in the play” Crystal Skinny “author Tamara Gabbe. As the director staged this show with dolls, actors … She is still on stage. I am pleased to see adult actors playing, and you played a role in this play both in childhood and in adults. Of course, such a game is different. Why? Different perceptions. Then it seemed to me that I was in a different world like Alice getting to the Wonderland … There were quite different halls, sophists that blinded my eyes, but I felt the laugh of the audience. I had such impressions, such a flying of the soul that I was missing for a long time. This probably led me to go to the theatrical institute. And every time when you go out on stage, this “child” goes out in me, which adult life has not “killed”
“There is no such communication on the radio or on television as in theater with viewers. I see magic smiles, joyful eyes, eyes that shine – you get alive from this, it’s eternal spring!”
Translated by Aliona Matushevich