A renowned Russian stage director’s journey through art, as he finds new energy in the wake of his country’s invasion of Ukraine and seeks to bridge cultural divides through Dickens’s two stories.
Dmitry Krymov, a renowned Russian stage director, has spoken candidly about his experience of exile and its impact on his work. The 70-year-old Moscow-born director, who was once a key cultural figure in Russia, has found new energy in the wake of his country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Dmitry Krymov is a Russian theater director and playwright.
Born in 1951, he graduated from the Moscow Theatre Arts Academy.
Krymov founded the Soyuz Molodezhi (Youth Alliance) theater group in 1977.
He is known for his experimental approach to drama, often incorporating elements of dance, music, and visual arts into his productions.
The Power of Artistic Expression
Krymov’s latest project, which brings together British and Russian performers, is a testament to his desire to bridge the cultural divide. By using Dickens‘s two stories, Great Expectations and Hard Times, he aims to create a new performance that will not only entertain but also spark meaningful conversations.
‘I want to link British and Russian performers and audiences, despite the divisions caused by President Vladimir Putin,’ Krymov explained. ‘It is because of this that we wanted to create our Dickens show.’
A Journey of Self-Discovery
Krymov’s journey as an exile has been marked by both anger and sorrow. However, he recognizes the pitfalls of using entertainment to send out a political message. Instead, he seeks to use art to express his pain and find solace in the creative process.
‘Expressing your pain in artistic form is not easy at all; you just want to shout out what you think in direct, unprintable text,’ Krymov said. ‘It’s a process, and I hope to prove with my activity now that we are in this unexpected crack in the earth’s crust, that not everything is subject to the laws of physics.’
A New Chapter
Krymov’s period of exile has given him a new perspective on his work and life. He is excited to gain an understanding of British talent and share his own experiences with a new audience.
‘I had, I added, no clear idea of London‘s theatrical style yet, although I have seen the difference between Broadway and off-Broadway shows,’ Krymov said. ‘In the Russian tradition, people come to the theatre in search of answers to questions that concern them, while on Broadway, people come to have a good time.’
A Desire for Connection
Despite the challenges posed by his exile, Krymov remains committed to his craft and his desire to connect with others through art. He hopes that, despite the war, ‘the basic need to hear something important, something not written in the newspapers or said out loud, will still remain.’
