The Israeli theatre company Gesher, based in Tel Aviv, presented its production of “Bloody Mary” at the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre as part of the Baku International Arts Festival (BIAF). Directed by Dmitry Krymov, one of the most influential theatre directors of his generation, the production was staged for Baku audiences on November 1 and 2. The visit of the renowned Israeli theatre company was one of the highlights of the festival programme, which brought together diverse artistic traditions, theatrical languages and contemporary interpretations of world classics.
Inspired by Friedrich Schiller's famous tragedy “Mary Stuart,” the production goes far beyond a conventional stage adaptation or literal interpretation of the literary work. Krymov creates an independent theatrical universe in which fragments of the classical narrative intertwine with contemporary reality, personal and collective memory, grotesque imagery and absurdity. The action begins in an emergency department, where people from different eras and worlds encounter one another.
Among them are two actresses preparing to portray Mary Stuart. As the story unfolds, the boundaries between reality and theatrical space gradually disappear, giving the familiar themes of power, jealousy, rivalry and execution an unexpected contemporary dimension. At the heart of the production are two queens: Elizabeth, portrayed by Israel (Sasha) Demidov, and Mary Stuart, played by Evgenia Dodina.
Rather than conventional historical representations, the characters emerge as symbolic, grotesque and almost circus-like figures. Yet beneath their masks and theatrical performances, deeply human emotions and personal struggles gradually come to the surface. Comedy and tragedy coexist throughout the production, while black humour meets confessional sincerity and theatrical illusion unexpectedly transforms into an intensely vivid reality.
In addition to Demidov and Dodina, the cast includes Polina Pakhomova, Nikita Goldman, Nikita Oleinikov, Ruth Senderovich, Itay Tarkhanov and Boris Repetur. During a meeting with journalists, the leading actors discussed their experience of working on the production, Krymov's distinctive directing style and their participation in BIAF. Israel (Sasha) Demidov, who portrays Queen Elizabeth, described his collaboration with the director as a unique creative experience.
Magic in terms of his method, energy and ability to transform material. He radiates a special personal energy that a good actor immediately senses. Creative ideas begin to emerge from it, and interesting concepts and unexpected solutions are born,” the actor said.
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