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February 12, 2026
Donbas review
Theatre503, LondonOlga Braga’s award-winning play captures the suffocating tensions of a household as war looms – finding flashes of tenderness amid the rising threat
TL;DR
- The play focuses on the tense atmosphere in a Ukrainian household moments before the 2022 Russian invasion.
- It highlights the conflict between Sashko, who refuses to yield to invaders, and his father Seryoga, who prioritizes survival by adhering to Russian rules.
- Moments of tenderness, like Sashko learning to pronounce his Moldovan girlfriend's name, stand out amidst the tension.
- The play explores themes of heritage and "pure-blood" Ukrainians, alongside the impact of war on individuals.
- Director Anthony Simpson-Pike and designer Niall McKeever effectively utilize the small stage and set to convey the escalating conflict.
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