In association with A Play, A Pie and A Pint and the University of Edinburgh.

New work from three of Ukraine and Russia’s most established and respected writers of “Novii Drama” or “New Drama”.

The writers were asked to respond to the conflict that has escalated between the two countries over the last 18 months. The result is the three new plays; a timely blend of comedy, tragedy and farce.

Take the Rubbish Out, Sasha

Translated by Sasha Dugdale
Directed by Nicola McCartney
Cast: Jill Riddiford, Paul Cunningham and Jenny Hulse

In a modest home on the outskirts of Kiev, Katya and Oksana are busy preparing a funeral meal for their beloved Sasha. A husband, a stepfather, an Army colonel. He was all these things until he dropped stone cold dead on the bathroom floor.

But Sasha isn’t going without a fight.

His women need him. His country needs him. Now more than ever. He and the others must return; they must march again. They have a solemn oath to uphold.

It’s time for the sixth wave of mobilisation. Line up!

Òran Mór, Glasgow
23/03/2015 – 28/03/2015

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
31/03/2015 – 04/04/2015

The War Hasn’t Started Yet

By Mikhail Durnenkov
Adapted and directed by Davey Anderson
Literal translation by Alexandra Smith

Russian troops enter Ukraine. But the war hasn’t started yet. Not officially.

Meanwhile, protestors take to the streets, parents lose their children, strangers find lovers, journalists lie on television, cancer patients crack jokes about the absurdity of existence, the downtrodden dream of rising up against their oppressors and everyone everywhere is addicted to something.

‘You see all these people in the subway with icy cold eyes. Burning inside. It’s either gastritis, or their souls, or God knows what. They look like they could pounce at any moment, tear you apart and eat you alive.’

A darkly funny, kaleidoscopic look at contemporary Russia on the brink.

Òran Mór, Glasgow
04/05/2015 – 09/05/2015

Thoughts Spoken Aloud from Above

By Yuri Klavdiev
Adapted by Peter Arnott
Literal translation by Alexandra Smith

In association with A Play, A Pie and A Pint and the University of Edinburgh.

A surreal and fantastical journey through contemporary Russia as seen through the eyes of one of Russia’s most popular and controversial playwrights.

Issues such as gay rights, corruption and love are seen through prisms as wide-ranging as penguins in the Antarctic to a girl on a forest floor.

This piece of magic realism will transport the audience to an imaginative Russia never before seen on the Scottish stage.