PW Productions produced the UK premiere of the Ukrainian play MARIUPOL DRAMA at HOME, Manchester, which ran between
14th January - 18th January 2025.

MARIUPOL DRAMA is a poignant testimony from actors who were sheltering with over 1000 others inside the Donetsk Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol during the tragic events of March 2022, when Russian forces invaded the city and bombed the theatre. This 60-minute play captures the most intense episodes of their stories, allowing the audience to directly experience that reality.

The stories of survival are recounted and performed by the theatre’s head of music and drama department Vira Lebedynska, actors Olena Bila and Ihor Kytrysh, and Olena and Ihor’s son Matvii. Personal items they brought to the shelter are integrated into the production, along with videos captured at the time by the narrators that are saved on their smartphones.

MARIUPOL DRAMA is written by Oleksandr Gavrosh, based on accounts from the actors, with direction and music design by Ukraine Artist Yevhen Tyshchuk.