When we were Gods

Fringe 2006. "When we were Gods" performed by NovaRasa

When we were gods a philosophical saga inspired by forgotten Ukrainian mythology. It liberates the great spirit of ancient legends unconsciously and deeply reflected in the Ukrainian character. The result of a rewarding collaboration of Italian musicians and Ukrainian actors, this performance opens the mystery of a little-known European culture. Fascinated by the strengths of the legendary people, the performers create a beautiful extravaganza of an imaginary world where demons, beasts, warriors, and gods having realised the destructiveness of their power decided to conceal its secrets forever and became regular people.
The title of the show is inspired by the old Gutsul legend about people that used to live on the top of the mountains and possessed supernatural physical power. These warriors, free like the birds, spread all over the world and established their kingdoms. Their strength was both constructive and destructive. Over time they became too great for this World. In order to preserve it from destruction, they decided to conceal their secrets of power forever and settle down as ordinary people. Their successors, the Gutsul ethnic group, that has lived in isolation for centuries in the remote part of Carpathians, have created their own concept of the world, according to which the strength of the people comes from the spirit and freedom and theoretically has no limits.
Fascinated by the strengths of the legendary people, the company challenged themselves to create a beautiful extravaganza where bodies dance, fly, love, die, enjoy, struggle and suffer. Those emotions are reinforced by live music that reaches the very depths of the soul.

The original music is a contemporary synthesis of Mediterranean and Eastern European traditional music improvised by four instrumentalists and the remarkable singer Jamila Jazylbekova. The seamless blend of the musical and visual makes the show equally enjoyable for theatre and music lovers.

NovaRasa is a newly established theatre company based in Kiev. Their theatre combines pantomime, acrobatics, choreography, martial arts and live music. The performers are students and graduates of the world renowned Kiev Stage and Circus College, masters of Cossack martial arts and a band of inventive musicians from Rome.

EDINBURGH FRINGE 2006
"When we were Gods" will be performed during Fringe Festival in Edinburgh at Hill Street Theatre, Venue 41
DATES 17-28 August
TIME 21.05 - 22.05
BOX OFFICES Hill Street: 0131 226 6522 Fringe: 0131 226 0000

Looking forward to seeing you there!