Voices from Ukraine: Two Plays

This collection features two poignant plays that explore the devastating effects of war and the resilience of those affected. Voices from Ukraine: Two Plays captures the human experience in conflict.

In Voices from Ukraine: Two Plays, the profound impact of war is explored through two powerful narratives by leading Ukrainian playwrights. The first play, Take the Rubbish Out, Sasha by Natal'ya Vorozhbit, tells the story of Sasha, a Colonel who has unexpectedly passed away. His family, Katia and Oksana, are left to mourn him as the war escalates around them. In a surreal twist, the army begins to recruit the dead, prompting Sasha's desire to return to life and rejoin the fight. This poignant tale delves into themes of loss, resurrection, and the emotional toll of war on families, making it a striking commentary on the human condition in times of conflict.

The second play, Pussycat in Memory of Darkness by Neda Nezhdana, presents a nameless woman in Donbas in 2014, who has lost everything due to the war. Standing in the street, she tries to sell a basket of kittens, the last remnants of hope in her shattered world. This play offers an unflinching look at the brutal realities of Russia's war on Ukraine, seen through the eyes of a woman who has been stripped of her home, faith, and future. Together, these plays provide a haunting reflection on resilience amidst devastation.

Translated by Sasha Dugdale and John Farndon, both plays were performed in English at the Finborough Theatre in London as part of the #VoicesFromUkraine season in 2022. A portion of the proceeds from Voices from Ukraine: Two Plays will support the Voices of Children Charitable Foundation, which aids children affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.