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KS6: Small Forward

Belarus Free Theatre

— ,The Pit
Basketball player and activist Katsiaryna Snytsina plays baketball between two pipes in an industrial setting.

A new production from the Olivier Award-nominated company, based on the extraordinary life story of Belarusian basketball player and activist Katsiaryna Snytsina.

Theatre turbocharged with the electrifying energy of a basketball match.

KS6: Small Forward invites audiences into Katya’s world, tracing the stratospheric highs of twenty years on the court, and the dramatic events that set her on a new path as an activist, political dissident and “extremist lesbian”.

Olympian Katya performs alongside clubland’s rising star, DJ Blanka Barbara in this soul-shaking show about proudly celebrating your sexuality, standing up to dictators, and above all, being fearlessly true to yourself.

Directed by Belarus Free Theatre’s co-founding Artistic Directors, Natalia Kaliada and Nicolai Khalezin, KS6: Small Forward launches BFT’s 20th anniversary in 2025, a landmark year to celebrate two decades on the world stage challenging dictators and building a movement for democracy, human rights and artistic freedoms.
 

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Theatre and Dance Winter/Spring 2025 Young Barbican

Running time: 1 hour 30 mins, no interval

Age guidance: 14+

This production contains loud noises, sounds of explosions, smoke, haze and strobe lighting. It contains references to adult themes including swearing, violence, use of weapons and discussions of homophobia and sexual abuse.

Post-show talk with Stephen Sackur, Fri 7 Feb
The talk is moderated by journalist Stephen Sackur. Free to same-day ticket holders. 

Presented by the Barbican.

Produced by Belarus Free Theatre and Freedom Highway Productions.

Performed in English.

Image of Katsiaryna Snytsina by Mikalai Kuprych and Darya Andreyanova.

Creative team

Directed by Natalia Kaliada and Nicolai Khalezin
Original Play by Nicolai Khalezin
Javier De Frutos Movement Director and Choreographer
Anthony Matsena Consultant Choreographer
Nicolai Khalezin Set Design
DJ Blanka Barbara Composer and Sound Design
Peter Small Lighting Design
Dmytro Guk Video Design
Darya Andreyanova, Mikalai Kuprych, Raman Shytsko Creative Associates
Michael Attenborough CBE. D Litt. Performance Mentor to Katsiaryna Snytsina and Script Editor
Daniella Kaliada Translator
Penny Dyer, Barbara Houseman Voice Coach

KS6: Small Forward is a Belarus Free Theatre production based on conversations with Katsiaryna Snytsina, and dramaturgically adapted for the stage by Natalia Kaliada and Nicolai Khalezin. 

Performed by

Katsiaryna Snytsina
DJ Blanka Barbara
Raman Shytsko
Darya Andreyanova
Mikalai Kuprych
Jay O. Sanders Voice Over
Tahir Hajat MC Voice Over

Reviews

‘A bracing reminder of how exhilarating a show can be when it connects one person with the world”‘
The New York Times on KS6: Small Forward
‘Hard-hitting, essential and furious, Belarus Free Theatre keeps political theatre alive and kicking‘
The Guardian
‘One of the bravest and most inspired underground troupes on the planet‘
The New York Times

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