An adaptation of a horror novel written by Nikolai Gogol in 1835 takes you on a journey in old Kiev where a monastery student Homa kills a woman (believed to be a witch) and suffers the consequenses.

The show explores themes of catholisism, religion and the concept of witchhunts. This modern rendition of the tale takes a fresh femenist angle on the story.

In this production I acted as a set designer, making various nature-inspired pieces with moss and hay. As well as working witn the lighting designer for an effective reveal of a coffin, that would go well with the horror atmosphere of the show.

“….Daria Gorbonosova’s breathtaking design. Paint, dirt, grass, and wheat are scattered through the theatre, defining the stage, and with vines growing onto the seats (not to mention the cloth-covered coffin waiting to be uncovered): we’re dragged further into the story.” - Everything theatre

1/2

The set designer Daria Gorbonosova makes a praiseworthy effort with a simple set design, creating a sense of earthiness and aliveness through natural materials such as straw, wheat and pine. - A Young(ish) Perspective

‘Ivy winds round handrails, moss grows over seats as if the theatre is becoming overgrown like the spooky abandoned church, where young Homa is locked in, alone, with the fiendish corpse and all the horrors of hell.’ - The Reviews Hub

19/02/2026 - 21/02/2026

Golden Goose Theatre