Amphibia — a romantic body horror

“While the world is stuck in uncertainty, we dive into the depths — in search of universal answers and uncomfortable questions.”

Amphibia is a manifesto performance by director Dmitry Melkin, created at the intersection of physical theatre, visual art, and video essay. It is not a stage adaptation of Belyaev’s novel, but a dialogue with the myth of Ichthyander from today’s perspective — an era of a global crisis of humanistic values.

The story begins with an attempted murder: a young journalist is thrown into the sea with weights on her legs. She was meant to die — but returns to life. As whom? And why?
The audience is then immersed in a multilayered parable about love and power, creator and creation, care and control, the choice of identity and the pursuit of freedom in the age of “cloud capitalism.”

Four characters, four philosophies, and one storm — a human one.

Cast:
Gutierre — Maria Kurdenevich
Ichthyander — Gladstone Mahib
Salvator — Vladimir Mishukov
Manuel — Vadik Korolyov

Creators:
Director — Dmitry Melkin
Playwright — Mikhail Durnenkov