World Premiere of the Play “The Only Tallest Trees on Earth”
A new play by Ivan Vyrypaev, The Only Tallest Trees on Earth is a striking example of contemporary drama, blending high literature with the genre of absurdism. Continuing the legacy of outstanding Polish postwar absurdist writers — Sławomir Mrożek and Tadeusz Różewicz — Vyrypaev integrates their influence into the Russian cultural context, drawing on the heritage of Dostoevsky and the poetics of the OBERIU group.
The Only Tallest Trees on Earth is a genre fusion of modern stand-up, absurdist theater, and Vyrypaev’s signature style. The characters are fictional Americans from the United States — not based on real-life prototypes, but rather drawn from American films and literature. This artistic technique goes beyond a simple postmodern reference, shaping a new aesthetic of “integral art.”
Plot and Themes
This project is a satirical drama that explores the contradictions of the modern world: double standards, corporate greed, political demagoguery, and the consequences of globalization. The production develops themes of deconstructing traditional values, inspired by the philosophy of Michel Foucault. The play raises questions about personal choice in the context of ideological rifts.
Creative Team
Directors: Ivan Vyrypaev, Mykola Myshyn
Cast: Chulpan Khamatova, Masha Mashkova, Vasily Zorky
Producers: Alexandrina Markvo, Maksim Volkov
A joint project by the Teal House Foundation and Bird&Carrot Productions
Dates
2025
September 9 — World Premiere in Warsaw
ABOUT IVAN VYRYPAEV
Ivan Vyrypaev is a renowned European playwright. His plays are staged in theaters across Europe and the United States. In 2019, he was listed among the five most popular contemporary playwrights in the world. Ivan is also a theater and film director and a recipient of numerous literary, theatrical, and cinematic awards, including honors from the Venice Film Festival, the Stückemarkt International Festival of Contemporary Drama, the Warsaw Film Festival, the Rome Film Festival, and many others.
ABOUT MYKOLA MYSHYN
Director, educator, and playwright. Born in Dnipro, Ukraine, he graduated from the Saint Petersburg Theatre Academy in 2012 with a degree in dramatic theater directing. From 2012 until February 2022, he taught acting and directing at the Theater Academy and the Institute of Theater, Film and Television. He was the founder and artistic director of the “O.T.M.” studio theater until 2022. In February 2022, he relocated to Warsaw. Myshyn has been involved with the Teal House Foundation since its inception. As a foundation member, he directed Ivan Vyrypaev’s Mahamaya Electronic Devices in three languages: Ukrainian (Warsaw), Romanian (Chișinău), and Lithuanian (Panevėžys). He has directed over 25 productions across Ukraine, Russia, and Europe.
ABOUT MASHA MASHKOVA
Stage and screen actress known for her vivid performances both onstage and in film. Her career spans over 50 projects. In 2008, she not only starred in the acclaimed film Closed Spaces but also served as one of its producers, receiving numerous awards. Her next major appearance, Newsmakers, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2009. Since 2013, Maria has worked internationally, spending significant time in Los Angeles, where she relocated permanently in 2020. She has appeared in major projects including ISS, The Lake (alongside Natalie Portman), Season 4 of For All Mankind, and Kirill Serebrennikov’s Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie. In 2023, she debuted her solo performance Nadezhdina, based on her great-great-grandmother’s diaries, touring across Europe and the U.S.
ABOUT CHULPAN KHAMATOVA
One of the most prominent actresses and public figures in Russia, Chulpan Khamatova has worked with leading directors around the world and appeared in over 70 Russian and European films. She was a principal actress at some of Moscow’s most innovative theaters.
A dedicated philanthropist, she co-founded the “Podari Zhizn” (“Gift of Life”) charity in 2005, supporting children with oncological and hematological illnesses — her impact on the culture of philanthropy in Russia is profound. Her most notable stage roles include Margarita (The Master and Margarita), Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra), Mary (Mary Stuart), Katerina (The Taming of the Shrew), as well as parts in ensemble productions such as Shukshin. Stories, Postscriptum, and The Decameron. Her performances in The Iranian Conference, Gorbachev, Ivanov, Healing, and Poor Liza cemented her status as one of the leading voices in contemporary European theater. In February 2022, she publicly opposed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and was forced to leave the country. She now resides in Latvia.
ABOUT VASILY ZORKY
Musician, director, screenwriter, and producer. Vasily received his theater education at Sergey Kazarnovsky’s studio and began his career performing in plays and musicals. He worked as a journalist for leading publications including Esquire, Playboy, and Afisha. As a screenwriter and director, he contributed to the film Yolki 8 and co-wrote the script for The Prophet: The Story of Alexander Pushkin (2025). His music has been featured in popular TV series such as Addicted (Ozabochenniye) and Red Bracelets. From 2016 to 2018, he served as the creative director of the “Afisha Picnic” festival. Since 2022, he has lived abroad, continuing to develop projects in music, cinema, and contemporary theater.