Directed by Ukraine Artist Yevhen Tyshchuk
Text by Oleksandr Gavrosh, based on accounts from the actors.
Mariupol Drama is a poignant testimony from actors who were sheltering inside the Donetsk Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol, Ukraine during the tragic events of March 2022. This 60-minute play captures the most intense episodes of a complete story.
The stories of survival are recounted and performed by Vira Lebedynska, Olena Bila, and Ihor Kytrysh — alongside Olena and Ihor’s son Matvii.
Mariupol Drama reviews
"Powerful"The Times
"The most moving and haunting piece of theatre you are likely to see this year"Theatre Reviews North
"Profoundly moving account of the Mariupol theatre bombing told by the actors who were there"The Stage
"A production that makes a very moving drama out of a tragedy"British Theatre Guide
Production images
Meet the cast
More about Mariupol Drama
David MacCreedy
The play’s power lies in its depiction of “normal people” in an extraordinary situation. The people in this play lost their home twice, and now they’re refugees.
David MacCreedy is a British actor who has lived in Tameside, Greater Manchester for almost 30 years.
In March 2022, after seeing footage of the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he decided that he should do something to help. He set up a Facebook page ‘Tameside2Ukraine’, and asked local people if they could donate essential items that could be given to families fleeing the war and crossing into Romania. The response in Tameside was amazing and Dave, along with Dave Woodhams, also from Manchester, loaded up a van and set off to deliver the donations including clothing, sleeping bags and food.
It was while in Romania on the way to Ukraine that Dave met Olena, an actress with the Mariupol Company. After seeing a performance of ‘Mariupol Drama’ they got talking about the company performing in the UK. After many months of negotiations and meetings they are now due to perform ‘Mariupol Drama’ at Home Manchester from 14-18 January.
The company form Mariupol are now refugees in their own country after their theatre and city were destroyed by Russian bombs. They are thrilled to be presenting this play in Manchester, a city itself no stranger to the devastation that bombings bring, and they are looking very much forward to visiting this great city and to meeting the people of Manchester.
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