Festival Hot Seat: The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk
Actors Marc Antolin and Daisy Maywood give us an insight into The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, a new show from Kneehigh Theatre that traces the extraordinary lives of Marc and Bella Chagall.
Firstly, can you introduce your show and tell us what it is about?
Daisy: The show is called The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk. Fundamentally, it's a love story between Marc Chagall and his first wife Bella, their extraordinary lives and achievements and the turbulent period of history that they lived through.
Marc: The background to the love story are some of the most incredible moments of European history. I think this play is also about what it is to be an artist
Why should someone come and see your show?
Daisy: It's a playful world of art, music and love that audiences can escape to for ninety minutes.
Marc: It’s also quite unique in the way that it marries music, drama and dance seamlessly.
Where did the idea and inspiration come from?
Daisy: Emma (our director) and her then partner Daniel (our writer) saw one of Chagall's paintings and Daniel noticed that Emma looked like Bella. They then looked into their lives and love story and Daniel wrote the play for Emma.
Why do you think it’s an important story to tell?
Marc: It’s always important to keep telling stories, this one is about two artists falling in love and the sacrifices one of them has to make in the relationship. The themes discussed also are so relevant today and I think there’s so much in this story that people can reflect and learn from.
What sort of person is going to love this show?
Marc: We’ve had so many people of different ages and cultures watch this show when we’ve performed it before and I’m always constantly surprised from what people take from it.
What’s going to surprise people about this show?
Marc: I think people will come away from this show wanting to learn so much more about Marc Chagall and his work and will be surprised about how incredibly creative Bella was, but how she took a step back in order to let Marc pursue his work.
What does Brighton Festival mean to you?
Daisy: I’m so thrilled to bring this show to Brighton festival because I love this place and knowing that I like Brighton and I like festivals, so I'm very excited to be a part of Brighton Festival.
Marc: I’m so thrilled to bring this show to Brighton festival because I love this place and knowing that Kneehigh have such a big following here, I’m excited for them to see this show.
What are you most looking forward to in this year’s Brighton Festival programme?
Marc: Taking Flying Lovers of Vitebsk to Edinburgh last year was incredible, it was my first festival and I had the most amazing time. I can’t wait to see lots of different theatre, music, comedy and be inspired by people telling stories in their own unique way.
Daisy: I'm really hoping to catch Kaya from Ceyda Tanc's all-female dance company which puts a modern spin on traditional Turkish folk dance.
Head to our event page to find out more about ticket availability.