New Production: 'Odyssey. Meotida'
The 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine 'Azov' and the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater have announced a collaborative play titled 'Odyssey. Meotida.' Directed by Ivan Uryvsky, the script comes from serviceman and playwright Oleksii Dorychevsky, with visual design by Oksana Bondarenko. This production is slated to become a permanent part of the Franko Theater's repertoire, though the premiere date remains unannounced.
The creators blend Homer’s classic text, translated by Borys Ten, with firsthand accounts from Mariupol’s defenders. For the Azov Regiment, the city of Mariupol serves as a symbolic Ithaca. The play unfolds across two realms: Penelope’s domestic world and Odysseus’s heroic domain. Obstacles and creatures along the hero’s journey are brought to life through robotic mechanisms and artificial intelligence. The cast includes theater company members:
- People's Artists of Ukraine: Olena Khokhlatkina, Larysa Rusnak, Serhii Kalantai, Andrii Saminin
- Honored Artists of Ukraine: Akmal Gurezov, Vitalii Azhnov, Dmytro Chernov, Mykhailo Kukuiuk, Ivan Sharan
- Also: Dariia Leheida, Daniil Mireshkin, Mariia Rudynska, Roman Yasinovsky, Ivan Dovzhenko, Yan Korniev, Ivan Bilash
Quotes from the Creators
“The story of Mariupol’s defense has been told by the media through civilians’ eyes. But what happened to the soldiers who bore the heaviest burden of struggle? Theater’s lens lets us talk less about numbers and events and turn to the human soul. What happens to feelings there? By telling stories about emotions, we recount the stories of real people.” - Oleksii Dorychevsky
Additionally, Yevhen Nyshchuk emphasized: “In the crucible of sacrificial and heroic struggle, the Ukrainian people—especially its knights, defenders, both men and women—are creating a modern, real myth of courage, goodness, love, and the ability to lay down one’s life for their people, comrade, and sacred land! Thousands have given their lives, hundreds remain in captivity. Now is the time, through art—especially theater, which can convey key messages via imagery, historical parallels, and recognizable global myths—to shape a narrative of resilience and the hard-won right to a free, independent, democratic European state for future generations!”
The Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater recently also premiered 'Where the Sun Sets,' based on the novel by Ukrainian writer Olena Pshenychna.
The creation of 'Odyssey. Meotida' marks a significant step for Ukrainian theater, particularly as the country endures challenging times. By weaving classical themes with contemporary realities, it highlights issues that resonate with society, such as the experiences of military personnel and their role in national defense. This play promises not only to entertain but also to provoke reflection on human values, resilience, and heroism, forging a new cultural narrative amid war.
In a similar vein of artistic innovation, the Franko Theater has recently adapted a novel that won the Gonchar Prize, showcasing its commitment to bringing contemporary stories to the stage. This intersection of literature and performance highlights the theater's role in reflecting societal experiences through powerful narratives.