The EDP Gran Vía Theatre "performs" its most charitable play with the ProEnglish Theatre of Kyiv
The EDP Gran Vía Theatre joins forces with the ProEnglish Theatre in Kyiv and donates the energy generated by the applause and cheers of the shows of the last few months in the form of financial aid.
The EDP Gran Vía Theatre in Madrid has joined forces with the ProEnglish Theatre in Kyiv to help them during the war. All the energy that has been registered over the last few months in the Madrid theatre is now being converted into financial aid, 6,000 euros, for the Ukrainian theatre. A decision that has been taken unanimously by the 52 companies that have performed at the theatre during this time.
The war is causing the largest exodus of people since World War II. In Kyiv, the ProEnglish Theatre, the only English-language theatre in the capital, has overnight become the main refuge for the residents of the neighbourhood where it is located and a source of help for other cities that have suffered attacks. The applause and cheers of recent months at the EDP Gran Vía Theatre have once again been transformed into energy for those who are suffering the consequences of the war in Ukraine. The donation has been used to purchase a power generator for the Ukrainian citizens who are still in Bucha, a massacred city that is now without supplies. In addition, the theatre is earmarking another part of the donation for the purchase of medicines, food and to defray the costs they are assuming as a shelter.
The director of the Ukrainian theatre, Alex Borovenskiy, explains that "it is very important for us that the art world is united, so that we can achieve a victory, not only in Ukraine, but all over the world". He adds that "although we are busy with essential work such as buying medicine for the whole neighbourhood or preparing food for the people who are here as refugees, we didn't want to forget about the artistic side and we continue to rehearse every day".
All the companies that have performed since last September in the Madrid theatre have come together to make this joint donation of 6,000 euros, which comes from the applause and cheers registered in the different performances by the theatre's meter. Among the companies and artists are "Mucha Tontería", by Berto Romero; the musical show "Amores Flamencos"; or "Odio", by Dani Rovira, among others.
In addition, the donation was made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Smedia Foundation, dedicated to promoting culture and the performing arts, which has made it possible for the accumulated money to reach the ProEnglish Theatre.
The EDP Gran Vía Theatre is the first theatre capable of converting the energy generated by the people in the auditorium, through the sounds produced by emotions (applause, cheers...), into kilowatt hours to donate thanks to a system that transforms these emotions into real energy. In this way, each spectator becomes a generator of energy to share with others. The public can find out exactly the kWh generated after each performance on the theatre's social networks and screens.
From the EDP Gran Vía Theatre, Carmen Fernández, Brand and Communication Director of EDP Spain, points out that "faced with a situation like this, we could not stand by and do nothing. Twinning our theatre with the ProEnglish Theatre in Kyiv is not just about making a financial donation, we want to show them our support, to make them feel that we are with them and that we admire the work they are doing there".
The ProEnglish Theatre has not only become a refuge from war, it is also a refuge for art and culture. The company members who are there as bomb shelters have been practising theatre since the beginning of the conflict. Now, these plays will see the light of day this Saturday in a very special performance. The New World Order and The Book Of Sirens, which they have been rehearsing during the siege, will be broadcast for anyone who wants to see them and enjoy the theatre.
Link to the live broadcast on Saturday 23 April at 5pm
The EDP Group is mobilising more resources and people in this humanitarian crisis. The company has an agreement with the Biedronka Foundation to host Ukrainian refugees in Poland, as well as with the Red Cross and Doctors of the World, through the donation of essential goods and direct financial aid.
