«Калігула»

We invite you to see the Frank Theatre's production of Caligula, a powerful and concentrated theatrical statement about power, fear and the limits of human freedom. Based on the world-famous story with an age restriction of 16+, the production impresses with its emotional power and forces the audience to ask themselves difficult questions about freedom, responsibility and fear. This story will leave no one indifferent.

Tyranny as a way of understanding the world

The play Caligula by the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre is based on the play by French novelist, philosopher and Nobel Prize winner in literature Albert Camus. The author of the theatrical adaptation and director is the talented Ivan Uryvsky, known to theatregoers for his productions of Mary Stuart, Limerivna, The Witch of Konotop, and others.

At the centre of this story is the figure of the Roman emperor Caligula, whose power becomes a tool for searching for the meaning of existence. After the death of his sister and mistress Drusilla, Caligula comes to a tragic realisation: human life inevitably ends in death, which means that happiness is an illusion. Faced with this truth, he decides to use his absolute power to test the limits of human capabilities and his own freedom. In an attempt to restore meaning to existence, the emperor begins to act, but his actions bring only chaos and death.

In Ivan Uryvsky's interpretation, Emperor Caligula does not exist alone. Behind him are people, and, in essence, they make Caligula. In fact, according to the director, they are the dictatorship. Therefore, the play will allow the viewer to find answers to pressing contemporary questions: what is true freedom and what is its price? Is dictatorship born from one person or from the silent consent of those around them?

The Frank Theatre's production tours Ukraine

Caligula surprises with its compact format and powerful impact. Set designer Petro Bogomazov has created a concise set design – a unique space of fear. The action takes place inside a metal cube resembling a locked container – a space with no exit, ruled by a tyrant. A complex system of latches and boxes allows characters to suddenly appear in ephemeral windows and passageways and then disappear. It is both mesmerising and frightening. The result is a dense theatrical space that is impossible to look away from – the play ‘Caligula’ holds the audience's attention until the very last minute. Come and see for yourself!