Generation Jeans

With an excellent sense of irony and humour, in an open crisp grounded manner, Nacolai Khalezin tells us his story.  The choice of words and Khalezin’s native tongue evoke strong imagery.  Translation is sur-titled with enough time to read, whilst attaining adequate glimpses of the performer, to become entranced by the authenticity of his narrative and presentation. 

Generation Jeans is an acutely personal and poignant story of desire, and drive, for freedom.  Denim Jeans are a powerful and provocative symbol of this freedom.   As we follow Khalezin’s journey as a young adult, of protest and incarceration, the evening is flavoured, enhanced and endorsed by the most splendid sound track.   Throughout, the audience is encouraged to examine and appraise individual and personal notions of freedom. 

It is the story of a man, who is now in his early 50s, that can be defined as ‘Post Dramatical Personal Theatre’.

The music, as played for us by DJ Laurel - Lavar Berzhanin, is penetratingly provocative, marvelously evocative and often (to my ear) more than fleetingly of the era under examination.  This music is largely comprised of Jazz, most particularly Electronic Jazz and Funk and Soul.  At times it creates atmosphere, supports and underscores.  And at other times it seems to reach out to us - as it’s own separate identity - generating space for contemplation.  In this way it supports and endorses whilst adding breadth and space.

Khalezin’s story is of the drive for freedom, self-expression and freedom of speech that leads to political protest and brutal incarceration.  This incarceration, in all probability, is made all the more terrifying for someone like Khalezin - a creative free spirit with a vivid imagination.

Fascinatingly we are made privy to some of the twists of his mind and mind games as experienced when imprisoned.  

Khalezin uses marvelous imagery. For example he talks of a man whose voice is ‘as grey as his suit’.  Much joy is expressed in his rich European sensibility, of the love of pickles and sausages and the understanding of a woman for her man and vice versa.  From his description of jeans, the inference is that they are ‘sexy’ and worn by attractive people.

At one pivotal point we are asked to call out “I am free!”  Such a provocative way to position his audience to question!  What is freedom and self-determinism in our ever-contracting world, where our autonomy is dwindling as we render ourselves more inescapably hostage to our mobile phones and social media.

Belarus Free Theatre builds its works as campaigns.  The create ‘Campaign Theatre’. Its pivotal modus operandi is a heightened awareness to social injustice and human rights violations.  And here its members are experiencing, and creating, work in Australia.   And yes they have been to the Northern Territory and looked into the shameful way we have been treating refugees.  They are working with Australian Theatre Makers towards a Melbourne International Festival show –Trustees.

Catch anything you can from and about these inspiring and courageous Theatre Makers

Suzanne Sandow

Photographer: Jan Boeve