Maksym Golenko is the chief director of the independent "Wild Theater". One of the most promising, talented and resonant directors of Ukraine, a master of theatrical trash and shock. The correspondent of "ElitExpert" met with the director to talk about his life, attitude towards the audience and the working process.
— What is your most difficult performance? What were the difficulties?
"Aphrodisiac" based on the play by V. Ponyzov. An incredible scale and complexity that no one has ever encountered in a non-state theater. The performance "Aeneid XXI" based on V. Chensky's play, by the way, was also not the easiest - to translate a film script with 50 episodes and 40 actors into the language of the theater in a month of rehearsals - it turned out to be no walk in the resort of Odessa.
— What kind of material do you definitely not want to work with?
I am ready to work with any material, except for conjunctural graphomania. There are a couple of such popular authors in Ukraine, whose plays are touched by a clear tone of voice... Foreign drama models also happen, by the way.
— Your performances always surprise with their locations. What other places do you plan to catch the viewer by surprise?
It always happens spontaneously in fact... I am looking forward to one of the future performances - it will be in the old tram depot in Lviv. This is the "Threepenny Opera" with the theater named after Zankovetska.
— Are you asking if the audience will like it? Or do you create your performances exclusively according to your personal vision?
I ask, of course... Especially in the "Wild Theater" - if the audience does not come, does not vote for us with their hryvnia - then there will be no next performance. But mostly we try not to flirt with the audience, but to attract the sharpness of the topics revealed and the drive of the spectacle...
— Do you read criticism about yourself in the mass media? On the Internet, do you get into a controversy with aggressive journalists, critics, disgruntled viewers?
I read, sometimes I suffer. I try to digest the criticism, if it is adequate, and not a person who is just jealous or trolling our projects. I never answer - sometimes I even beat myself up so that I don't do it, because all this is useless.
— In your opinion, modern theater is...
This is a place for a mega-spectacle, preferably making the viewer think that sometimes it is traumatic for him))
— What three qualities should your ideal actor possess?
The ability to collaborate, quick reaction, good brains, developed psychophysical apparatus, mild schizophrenia. And it is desirable not to be late.
— Which world-class actor of the past or present would you like to work with?
The late Bohdan Stupka was wonderful, but alas...
— Your favorite actor, film, book?
For example, Johnny Depp. In general, I like clown actors, especially those who don't get involved in politics... Of ours, I love working with Yaremoy. Films Kusturitsy loved in his youth, until he turned black. Of the books, the one I put is my favorite. Now I'm going to put Marques in the Theater on the Levo Bere — so Marques is currently in the favorites.
Text and photo: Iryna Rohava
