Konotop witch

The very "Konotop Witch" based on the novel by Hryhoriy Kvitka-Osnovyanenko, for which it is impossible to buy a ticket in time!

"The Witch of Konotop", the very theatrical production that caused a resonance in Ukraine and the world community. The play, staged in Kyiv in 2023, during the war at the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater, directed by Ivan Uryvsky, is based on the classics of Ukrainian literature.

The Witch of Konotop combines elements of Ukrainian folklore and mysticism with contemporary social and political issues. The play questions traditional stereotypes about witches, emphasizing themes of female power and independence. It also addresses fears and prejudices, the historical persecution and oppression of women, in particular in the context of public and social norms.

The director of the play has chosen an innovative approach, combining authentic Ukrainian traditions with modern theatrical methods and styles. The production uses minimalistic scenography, where each element of the set has a special symbolic meaning, and the stage space is completely filled with acting, lighting and sound effects - which completely captivate the viewer.
"For me, the main theme was the choice between two forces - Light and Darkness.

This is in a global sense, but this choice can be much more extensive and diverse. The story contains a love story and a sense of inevitable war. There are many other subthemes that are in line with our problems. The work contains many political, life, and spiritual meanings...

A person without Faith ceases to be a Person, turning into a pawn who is unable to change his own life or counteract what is happening around him. G. Kvitka-Osnovyanenko also very interestingly and deeply reveals the theme of cataclysms occurring in nature - the drought "witches stole the rains and dew". This is also a certain metaphor, which, in my opinion, is associated with today's global supernatural phenomena, such as earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis that occur in different parts of the world. Perhaps this is also the influence of the loss of Faith and the beginning of the destruction of the planet, and humanity should think about what is happening to all of us?" (Ivan Urivsky)
The play received mixed reviews and reactions from both critics and the audience. Some believe that it boldly tackles important topics, while others criticize it for being too experimental. However, everyone agrees that The Witch of Konotop is an important and invaluable contribution to the development and understanding of contemporary Ukrainian theater, which is trying to rethink traditional cultural narratives and reveal new social meanings.


This is more than just a play - it is a cultural phenomenon that reflects the complex and multilayered processes taking place in contemporary Ukraine. It combines elements of the past and present, folklore and contemporary drama, creating a new, unique voice in Ukrainian theater.