Know how to be happy even in difficult times. The Ukrainian theater in Daile stages a British comedy / Article

Actress Ekaterina Kachana from Ukraine says: “When I watched the play, I thought we couldn’t do it. Because it’s such a subtle English humor. It’s a different genre. But trying and feeling the support of the director and the theater that invited us, of course you forget that fear of failure and start working and enjoying it.”

Amy Marchant, director of London’s West End theater “Mischief”, explains: “Yes, such an international collaboration – a British play, Ukrainian actors, Latvian theater. I am very proud to be part of this project, and I really like working with Ukrainian actors, they are so talented, so true. And despite everything that’s going on in their lives – able to live in the moment. It’s the most incredible company of actors I’ve ever worked with. I feel very lucky.”

The play tells the story of Cornley’s drama group and the premiere of their production “Murder at Haversham Manor”, during which everything goes completely wrong – the props don’t stick to the walls, the actors forget the text, even the stage floor collapses. In spite of these conditions, the enthusiasts of the drama group have decided to play the show to the end.

This play won the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2015. It has already been performed in more than 30 countries around the world, including in Latvia – in January of this year, it had its premiere in the Latvian version at Dailes Theater.

Performing the play in Ukrainian during the war is especially important, emphasizes actor Dmitry Solovyov: “This is not just a way to divert attention from the war. We once again say and show that we are a very strong nation and even in such difficult times we know how to live and be happy. And we we will never be broken. No matter what they try, we will always be a happy nation.”

Amy Marchant emphasizes: “The situation in Ukraine is obviously devastating and terrible. We thought a lot about whether it would be right to show the play at this time, and although we understand that people cannot turn away from the war, we hope that Ukrainians, who now have to live in strangers in cities and away from home, can enjoy this production in their own language. This is our gift.”

The premiere will take place at Daile Theater on July 28. The production will be shown to the families of war refugees and later it is planned to be shown in the regions as well.

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