A new stage production based on Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial novel “Lolita” is being prepared at the Center for Contemporary Drama in Yekaterinburg. Directed by Anton Butakov, the play aims to delve into the complexities of the story, exploring the boundaries of what is permissible and its impact on society. The premiere is scheduled for the next season.

Butakov’s adaptation focuses on the internal struggles of Humbert, blurring the lines between justification and crime, beauty and ugliness. He wants the audience to grapple with the moral ambiguities of the narrative.

The director is meticulously crafting the script, having already rewritten the first act. The production incorporates elements of suspense and psychological horror to reflect Humbert’s inner turmoil. The play opens with a monologue from Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment,” drawing parallels between the two works.

The creators emphasize that the production is not focused on the sexual subtext often associated with “Lolita.” Instead, it aims to explore the complex psychological landscape of the characters and the themes of obsession and manipulation. The director hopes the audience will leave with a complex perception of the work.