THE RECKONING
Arcola Theatre
★★★★
“a beautiful tribute to the lives of Ukrainian war survivors”
Dash Arts has brought to life transcripts of Ukraine War survivors, creating a wonderful verbatim art piece that reminds us not to forget the people behind the numbers. Co-written by Anastasiia Kosodii and Josephine Burton (also director) in collaboration with The Reckoning Project and Public Interest Journalism Lab, amongst many others, it’s clear how much heart went into this play.
The show introduces us to two of the performers Simeon Kyslyi (Sam) and Olga Safronova (Olga). Both performers are from Ukraine and came to the UK after the war started. They tell us some of their story, helping contextualise the world for the audience and remind us of the war that continues on. Often, in times of tragedy, it can be easy to disassociate from feeling when not directly involved. Seeing war images on the news everyday for example; as each day goes by you skip it even quicker. Having Kyslyi and Safronova on stage not only makes the play more authentic, but it’s an effective way to allow audience members to gently step back in to that place of empathy; via that human connection. They multirole as different people throughout the show, as well as guiding the action with different forms of physical theatre choreography. There are several points in the play, where emotional tension is high that they return as themselves to speak to the audience once more. This included a lovely moment where they shared a traditional Ukrainian salad, and recalled memories of eating it as children in Ukraine.
The majority of the action is led by The Journalist (Marianne Oldham) and The Man from Stoyanka (Tom Godwin). The Journalist talks to the man through his recalling of where he was and what he did when the war started, how he was the only survivor in his town and how he was eventually mistaken for a Russian and brutally interrogated as a result. Throughout their interview, the Journalist speaks to other survivors, played by Sam and Olga who once again shine in their performances as many different characters. This included one incredibly touching story who ran from home to a train station to try and see her husband who was killed in an attack from Russia. The audience was in tears many times. There were parts where I could feel, the cast were nervous and potentially falling behind their own pace. This did not deter from the entire piece, however.
The play is well supported in the intimate staging in Studio 2 of the Arcola. You feel at home with these people. Before the play began, Sam and Olga are on stage picking up the bricks and rubble that are arranged as being fallen from the wall, until eventually they are built back up again. Two wooden triangles are used to hold up a table, that is moved for different purposes throughout the show. Final pieces of set (designed by Zoe Hurwitz) include an oven and a cupboard which held various food items used throughout the performance. The lighting (Joshua Pharo) provided clarity throughout the interview sections and then would boost the action with various shadows and colours, including a nod to the Ukrainian flag with yellow and blue spots at some points.
Overall, The Reckoning provides a beautiful tribute to the lives of Ukrainian war survivors, and reminds us why these stories need to keep being told through the use of utter respect and very strong performances.
THE RECKONING
Arcola Theatre
Reviewed on 4th June 2025
by David Robinson
Photography by Ikin Yum
Last tens shows reviewed at this venue:
IN OTHER WORDS | ★★★★ | May 2025
HEISENBERG | ★★★ | April 2025
CRY-BABY, THE MUSICAL | ★★★★★ | March 2025
THE DOUBLE ACT | ★★★★★ | January 2025
TARANTULA | ★★★★ | January 2025
HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS | ★★★★ | December 2024
DISTANT MEMORIES OF THE NEAR FUTURE | ★★★ | November 2024
THE BAND BACK TOGETHER | ★★★★ | September 2024
MR PUNCH AT THE OPERA | ★★★ | August 2024
FABULOUS CREATURES | ★★★ | May 2024
