FLOATERS

The production of the Floaters is based on the diaries and works of M. A. Bulgakov, a prominent Russian writer who spent his entire life fighting the repressions of the Stalinist regime.

The production aims to respond to the position of intellectuals and artists in a society succumbing to fascist discourse, inciting fear and aggression while curbing free thought. Set in a speculative near-future, the play utilizes dark humor, grotesque aesthetics and the absurdities of the era, drawing on motifs inspired by M. A. Bulgakov himself.

Floaters bring a unique form of immersive theatre back to the Slovak stage for the first time in ten years. In this format, spectators determine for themselves which narrative lines to follow, which character to connect with and where to move. They enjoy complete freedom of movement throughout the performance space and are actively engaged in the action, becoming co-creators of the narrative and situations.

Within this enclosed space, a new story unfolds about a young writer whose closest friends throw him a birthday party. However, this ordinary event transforms into a test of solidarity and honesty. The characters examine their moral boundaries and convictions, undergoing trials of friendship and personal resilience. The production investigates the warning signs of a fracturing society that is losing trust. The creative team takes a critical approach to their own experience with the status of the artist -without self-pity or pathos. The characters face the very questions that M. A. Bulgakov lived through: Align with those in power to survive? Or remain in internal exile at the cost of hardship and oblivion? How to stay vigilant, courageous and active? How to avoid falling into cynicism and paralysis?

Floaters deliver an intense experience, a new and compelling performance space, and an unconventional point of contact between audience and actors, permanently recorded in the history of the abandoned house.