Within Theatre Company is an award-winning company, brought together from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine by the reality of their situation of being displaced and working in London. As an ensemble, they create work that shares their belief in freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and using art to resist oppression and totalitarianism.
It is therefore, fitting that they have chosen to write about an era in the history of the Soviet Union following the death of Stalin, when a section of the young Soviet community chose to rebel against the grey nature of their existence, in 1955 Moscow. This underground counterculture movement called themselves the Stilyagi (style hunters), they wanted to love a more colourful life with jazz music, dancing, and to express their passions with colour. Betsy (Sofia Barysevich), Fred (Faiaz Valiullin), and Polly (Anastasia Aush) are a part of this movement and regularly crank up their record player to boogie to their jazz records, or play their instruments, anything so that they can dance, and feel alive.
Katya (Olga Pipchanka) and Mels (Andrii Zamiatin) are on the opposite side of history. As members of KOMSOMOL, they were the young communist league who wore grey and lived modestly within the guidelines of their party. Mels appeared to initially be a supporter, but he is a young man, and after meeting Polly, he is enamoured and the lure of the dancing, and music, he is tempted to hang out with these young revolutionaries.
I am not enamoured with the choice of venue for this play, the company seems cramped in its surroundings, and it feels like they have adapted their show to fit around the space. Putting this aside, the story that they have chosen is interesting, it is Soviet history, and it fits with the company’s own story. Telling the story of a youth that must stay hidden if they wanted to be themselves, this friendship that built through a mutual belief in freedom.
The heavier moments are interspersed with music, songs, and dancing. Director and performer Sofia Barysevich, and choreographer Anna Korzik allowed the cast to express their youthful exuberance with their fluid movements, and excellent footwork – the jazz was such a contrast to the restrictions of KOMSOMOL. And contrast is everything in this play, it is essential to show how society were expected to live, compared to their Western counterparts.
Two years ago, I first saw the company perform 1984, and I was intrigued to see where they went from there. I am pleased to see that they continue to produce high quality, interesting theatre working as an ensemble, but staying close to their roots. Such companies can educate through their plays, in a world that really does need such an education!
The play runs until the 31st August (not 24th) 5.45pm (1hr), and you can book tickets here – https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/boogie-on-the-bones
Reviewer: Caroline Worswick – Theatre Muse UK
Reviewed: 22nd August 2026
North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating: