Kyiv Modern-Ballet «Carmen.TV»
press
release
Academic Theatre “Kyiv Modern-Ballet”
Ballet in Two Acts
“Carmen.TV”
to the music of Georges Bizet
Choreography by: Radu Poklitaru
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes (50 min + 25 min)
Ballet with intermission
"Carmen.TV" is an original choreographic interpretation of one of the most famous stories in European culture, created by Radu Poklitaru based on Prosper Mérimée's novella and Georges Bizet's opera "Carmen."
In this ballet, the story of Carmen de Seville receives a new and unexpected theatrical interpretation. Radu Poklitaru's innovative choreography imbues the characters with vibrant modern expressiveness, while preserving the atmosphere of 19th-century Spain, the passionate nature of the story, the dramatic tension, and the musical power of Bizet's opera.
One of the central figures of the ballet is Micaela. In this production, she sheds her traditional role as José's fiancée and becomes the driving force of the stage action. Her presence explains the letters "TV" in the title and defines the production's unique format—a ballet in two episodes.
The screen within the performance becomes a space of loneliness, passion, imagination, and inner visions. Through Micaela, Carmen's story unfolds as an intense flow of desire, jealousy, love, and destructive fantasies. Her internal monologue sets the emotional tone for the entire performance:
"When no one is around, love overwhelms me and makes me see, desire, and kill imaginary characters from films that were never made. The flickering screen speaks to me in the language of passion. Am I alone...? No!"
In Carmen.TV, Radu Poklitaru creates a bold, emotionally charged, and visually powerful choreographic version of the legendary story, where the classic plot is shown from the perspective of a modern person – their loneliness, passion, and desperate need to see love even where it becomes dangerous.
The Academic Theatre “Kyiv Modern-Ballet” is one of the brightest contemporary dance theatres of Ukraine. For more than 20 years, it has been creating original ballet productions recognized across Europe and around the world. The theatre was concieved around the artistic vision of choreographer Radu Poklitaru. His productions have shaped the company’s repertoire and given it a distinctive creative voice. “Kyiv Modern-Ballet” has developed a distinctive artistic identity, known for its bold reinterpretations of famous stories, innovative stage solutions, and expressive choreographic language.
Drawing on classical literary, musical, and theatrical works, the theatre offers contemporary and intellectually compelling choreographic interpretations.
Radu Poklitaru, the founder and chief choreographer of the theatre, is an Honored Artist of Ukraine, laureate of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine, People’s Artist of Moldova, and winner of numerous international competitions. Over the course of his career, he has created more than 40 one-act and full-length ballets, presented on stages in many countries around the world.
Radu Poklitaru’s artistic style is distinguished by dramatic precision, bold reinterpretations of well-known stories, and the exporation of such a themes as freedom, memory, choice, and inner human strength through intense and emotionally charged choreography.
Academic Theatre “Kyiv Modern-Ballet”
Ballet in Two Acts
“Carmen.TV”
to the music of Georges Bizet
Choreography by: Radu Poklitaru
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes (50 min + 25 min)
Ballet with intermission
"Carmen.TV" is an original choreographic interpretation of one of the most famous stories in European culture, created by Radu Poklitaru based on Prosper Mérimée's novella and Georges Bizet's opera "Carmen."
In this ballet, the story of Carmen de Seville receives a new and unexpected theatrical interpretation. Radu Poklitaru's innovative choreography imbues the characters with vibrant modern expressiveness, while preserving the atmosphere of 19th-century Spain, the passionate nature of the story, the dramatic tension, and the musical power of Bizet's opera.
One of the central figures of the ballet is Micaela. In this production, she sheds her traditional role as José's fiancée and becomes the driving force of the stage action. Her presence explains the letters "TV" in the title and defines the production's unique format—a ballet in two episodes.
The screen within the performance becomes a space of loneliness, passion, imagination, and inner visions. Through Micaela, Carmen's story unfolds as an intense flow of desire, jealousy, love, and destructive fantasies. Her internal monologue sets the emotional tone for the entire performance:
"When no one is around, love overwhelms me and makes me see, desire, and kill imaginary characters from films that were never made. The flickering screen speaks to me in the language of passion. Am I alone...? No!"
In Carmen.TV, Radu Poklitaru creates a bold, emotionally charged, and visually powerful choreographic version of the legendary story, where the classic plot is shown from the perspective of a modern person – their loneliness, passion, and desperate need to see love even where it becomes dangerous.
The Academic Theatre “Kyiv Modern-Ballet” is one of the brightest contemporary dance theatres of Ukraine. For more than 20 years, it has been creating original ballet productions recognized across Europe and around the world. The theatre was concieved around the artistic vision of choreographer Radu Poklitaru. His productions have shaped the company’s repertoire and given it a distinctive creative voice. “Kyiv Modern-Ballet” has developed a distinctive artistic identity, known for its bold reinterpretations of famous stories, innovative stage solutions, and expressive choreographic language.
Drawing on classical literary, musical, and theatrical works, the theatre offers contemporary and intellectually compelling choreographic interpretations.
Radu Poklitaru, the founder and chief choreographer of the theatre, is an Honored Artist of Ukraine, laureate of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine, People’s Artist of Moldova, and winner of numerous international competitions. Over the course of his career, he has created more than 40 one-act and full-length ballets, presented on stages in many countries around the world.
Radu Poklitaru’s artistic style is distinguished by dramatic precision, bold reinterpretations of well-known stories, and the exporation of such a themes as freedom, memory, choice, and inner human strength through intense and emotionally charged choreography.
