Four years on from the start of the disastrous and unnecessary Ukraine war, which has brought so much suffering to the Ukrainian people and changed the world for all of us, is a good time to stage a theatrical drama about these troubled times. But this play written by Polia Polozhentseva and playing at the Jack Studio Theatre is a very odd one to choose.
It is located in a village in rural Ukraine which has barely been affected by the war; no missile strikes, no deaths or injuries, no damaged buildings and no conscription. Lukyana has returned from her comfortable life in Poland to visit her late grandmother’s house, where she has fond childhood memories of growing up with her grandparents. She is responding to her grandmother’s wish that she should spend some time in the house before deciding how to dispose of it. She also seems to be trying to get away from her fiancé, who persists in texting her. It is unlikely, however, that her grandmother had in mind that Lukyana should use it to restart a sordid affair with one of her ex-lovers, Pasha. He has turned up for no apparent reason other than wanting to have sex with Lukyana, which they do enthusiastically and noisily (luckily in complete darkness). They reminisce about their past relationship, but it does not seem to have been a relationship based upon mutual love and respect.
Enter Aunt Valaya, a long-time resident of the village, who knew Lukyana’s grandparents well. It seems that the grandmother was some form of sorceress who “whispered” over the village and protected it from the ravages of war. However, Valaya believes that with the grandmother’s demise the effectiveness of that protection is now declining and the village is in danger. She wants Lukyana to take over the role as sorceress. Lukyana being a modern young woman, initially is dismissive of such mysticism.
So, what is this play? Is it a fable? Is it a reflection on relationships? And what has any of this really got to do with the war, which is the dominant story in Ukraine? Mixing these items together makes for an altogether very confusing and unsatisfactory narrative. Maybe those with a more detailed knowledge of Ukrainian folklore might better understand this play, but this reviewer struggled.
The acting was competent, although the three actors struggled to make much of the characters. The staging was simple and effective; a large rustic table with 2 chairs. The table became at various times a bed, a bus and a shelter. The play runs for 60 minutes and ends rather abruptly without any particular resolution.
It plays until 28th February 2026 and Tickets are available from www.brockleyjack.co.uk
Reviewer: Paul Ackroyd
Review: 26th February 2026
North West End UK Rating: