Freddie Haberfellner
What is it really like to be a refugee? This standup drama about four Ukrainian refugees will grab your attention, keep you on your toes, and stay with you long after you’ve left the theatre.
For three years now our news feeds have been telling the stories of war in Ukraine, of people displaced due to Russia’s unspeakable crimes. But how often do we actually hear directly from the people affected? How easy is it to think of refugees simply as victims rather than full and complex human beings? And how easy is it to move on to the next tragedy, another big event, more moral outrage that demands our attention?
A visually enticing hour of well-orchestrated chaos directed by Alex Borovenskiy, Once Upon a Time in Ukraine portrays real people and their stories as a powerful antidote to the stereotypes we might have seen on our screens. It’s the balance of drama and comedy that makes this piece so powerful, as well as the touching, nuanced and captivating performances by Maryna Boyko, Slava Krasowska, Kira Meshcherska and Vero Streltsova.
Sleeping bags come to life, flashlights illuminate the space, and we are thrown into the world of Sasha, Dasha, Masha and Vitalina who are stuck in a place they cannot get out of. Trying to figure out what brought them there, they take us to different stops in their journey so far. In a powerful mix of physical theatre and sharp dialogue, we find ourselves on a refugee train, hearing about their struggle to find proper food and rest, and in a small German town where the language barrier provides new challenges.
When Sasha suddenly goes missing, the audience are encouraged to help, leaving their seats and the audience in search of the young woman. But the interaction doesn’t end there; beers and hugs are shared and, even when the actors stay on stage, we feel as if we are part of their journey, the chaos, laughter, anger and tears.
An especially powerful moment to me was one actor breaking away to find water before a long bus journey, not only leaving the stage but the auditorium but still talking to us through the closed foyer door. Whilst the action continued on stage, we still sat listening for her voice, hoping they’d make it back in time to catch the bus.
Whilst fringe theatre is expected to push boundaries, I’ve rarely seen a show that played with audience expectations so well as this one. There was no way to zone out or you would miss an essential detail, or be surprised by one of the performers sitting down right next to you, bringing you into their world.
All of these elements combined make for an utterly unique experience; one that will stay with you for a long time. When seeing several shows in a day, as is fringe standard, it’s hard for a show to really leave a lasting impression. Yet this play has stayed with me, the visuals and words popping into my minds even days after watching it. I have no doubt that it’ll impact how I now consume the news about Ukraine, refugees, as well as other world events. Urgent, powerful and deeply moving, this play might be the most impactful show I’ve seen in a long time.
Recommended Drink: A can of beer – if you’re lucky, you’ll even be handed a free one during the show.
Once Upon a Time in Ukraine has now completed its Prague Fringe run, but you can keep up to date with ProEnglish Theatre’s work on their website: https://www.proenglishtheatre.com/
Miriam Trujillo
Mike Dorey
Oli Fuller
