Phantasmagoria “Veronica Decides” by Yuri Grymov at the Modern Theater: about the triumph of life

Director Yuri Grymov presented his new play at the Modern Theater “Veronica Decides” (16+) based on the best-selling book by Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho “Veronica Decides to Die”. The premiere took place on March 6, performances for the general public are on March 7, 9, 10, 13, 2024. Magazine The Status Symbol publishes a review of the play “Veronica Decides”.

The play “Veronica Decides” by Yuri Grymov

Talking to God after taking an impressive dose of pills at the beginning of the action, in a place “better than Heaven” (a psychiatric hospital), the main character Veronica reproaches the Creator: “You must ask people for forgiveness. A person has a hole in his soul the size of God. Everyone fills it out as best they can." Getting to know the clinic's patients and their stories allows her to reconsider her views on life. The performance is the essence of 7 days of Creation of a new person who transcends death, gains the desire to live and falls in love.

Grymov turns Coelho's novel into a phantasmagoria and introduces historical images and characters. Thus, in a psychiatric clinic, Vernika is met by Egyptian pharaohs in electric wheelchairs, the head physician of the hospital, Albert, with an Einstein hairstyle, and Veronica’s lover, Edgard, who dreams of drawing and writes “The Scream,” like Edvard Munch. Vivid stage images, video and audio effects and, of course, the director’s favorite music. Experimental electro, techno, rock and pop with 1980s vibes. Scorpions, Eric Burdon, the Animals, Pyrolator…

Edvard Munch. Scream. National Gallery in Oslo

At the beginning of the performance, the phrase is uttered from the stage: “I know no other signs of superiority except kindness.” Kindness and the desire to help heal the main character, she helps her neighbor. Seven days of Creation of a new man are crowned with success.

“Veronica decides...”, Modern Theater

Photos: Polina Koroleva, provided by the press service of the Modern Theater