Pane Kokhanku

“Pani Kochanku” is one of the most spectacular and vivid productions in the repertoire of the M. Gorky Minsk National Academic Drama Theatre. It has everything: excellent directing by Sergei Kovalchyk, artistic fiction on a historical theme by playwright Andrei Kureychyk, and, of course, a brilliant cast. The action takes place in the 18th century, after the First Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The main character, Prince Karol Stanisław Radziwiłł (1734–1790), received his nickname “Pani Kochanku” because that is how he addressed everyone in a kind, friendly way—“pani kochanku”—“my dear.”

The performance sparks endless debates. And no wonder! Karol Stanisław Radziwiłł was one of the richest and most influential magnates of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, an extraordinary personality, a significant figure in our history. Not everyone agrees with the portrayal of the main character. A commanding, cruel magnate, to whom kings borrowed money—could he have been in love with a simple peasant girl?… Did he dream of teaching Belarusians to fly? Incredible!… But both audiences and critics agree on one thing: this production is a wonderful event not only for the theatre named after M. Gorky, but also, in general, for the Belarusian stage.