Ukraine's Theater: A Beacon of Hope Amidst Chaos
In the heart of Kyiv, a unique play is unfolding, both on and off the stage. "When the Hurlyburly's Done" is not just a story; it's a mirror reflecting the lives of the young actresses who bring it to life. These women, like their characters, are navigating the complexities of war, love, and art.
A Reflection of History
The play is set in 1920, a time when Ukraine was in the grip of civil war. Les Kurbas, a pioneer of modern Ukrainian theater, directed a Ukrainian-language production of "Macbeth" in the countryside. The actresses in this new play are inspired by those young women who performed during such turbulent times.
Echoes of the Present
The actresses in Kyiv today share stories that echo their characters' experiences. They talk about the first days of the full-scale invasion, the uncertainty, and the fear.
- One actress recounted the birth of her daughter during the chaos.
- Another remembered a humping dog as her most vivid memory from those early days of war.
Living with War
They have brothers and fathers fighting in the war, family members cut off in the occupied Donbas. At one rehearsal, an actress apologized for being late; she had just heard that a friend from drama school had been killed at the front. The stage manager brought in a machine to check her blood pressure, a hint of the stress they are under.
The Youngest Actress
The play's youngest actress is 21, meaning she has known only war for more than half of her life. Another actress fought tears as she spoke the play's epilogue, describing the murder of Les Kurbas and 1,111 Ukrainian artists and intellectuals by the Soviets in 1937.
Finding Strength in Art
Despite the hardships, these actresses laugh more, support one another more, and express joy with such openness and vulnerability. They question the value of their art, but in Kyiv, there is no doubt about the importance of theater. It reminds us that we are all human, no matter what happens around us.
A Story of Resilience
A character in the play tells a story about a woman who was beaten and raped many times, but before the war, she was an opera singer. In the wagon, amid distant explosions and gunfire, she begins to sing from "The Barber of Seville". Her line, "I am more than what has happened to me", summarizes what the play is trying to convey and what these actresses have shown every day in rehearsal.