Eleven Vests (play)

Medium: Theatre

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Artist: The Belarus Free Theater

Confronting Bodies: representatives of three different special forces (OMON, KGB, and district police)

Dates of Action: August 22, 2007

Location: Minsk, Belarus

Description of Artwork: The play, Eleven Vests (1997), is about violence, scholastic and military authoritarianism.

The Incident: The troupe was about to start a performance at a house in the capital of Minsk when armed officers burst into the building and everyone inside were taken to a police station. Up to 60 spectators, all actors, managers, directors of Free Theatre, three children of 6, 7, and 8 years old, together with French Director Christian Benedetti, Director of Theatre-Studio Jerome Impilizzierri, the assistant to director Nina Reno, Netherlands professor Boris Gerets and Production Manager Mark Jansen were arrested during the performance.

Results of Incident: Everyone was released three hours later. Background on the Free Theater: The Free Theater is barred from performing in Belarus and has no permanent space. Nevertheless, it continues to survive, screening audiences before every performance.

Source: KadmusArts Blogs