Translations | Переклади – Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama at the Abbey Theatre

Translations | Переклади – 20 – 24 June 2023
The Abbey Theatre presents a Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre production
Written by Brian Friel
Directed by Kyrylo Kashlikov

Images by Iryna Somova | Фотографії – Ірина Сомова

“Nations don’t die from a heart attack, they go mute first” – Lina Kostenko, Ukrainian Poet

According to legend, when Winston Churchill was asked if they would cut spending on the Arts to fund the war effort, he replied, “Then what would we be fighting for?” Despite or possibly because of the war, the Arts in Ukraine are more important than ever as a way to promote their national identity.

Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre is a theatre in Kyiv. It stages an impressive array of work, from children’s theatre to musicals and dramas. It produced Translations | Переклади in October of last year. The Abbey is now staging this production for five nights. This brief run will give Irish audiences a chance to see this new production made under unusual circumstances.

From the perspective of the theatre-going public in Ireland, it is an unexpected treat to see Translations back on the Abbey stage so quickly after the previous production. The Abbey staged its own production of Translations in June of last year, before touring widely. This new production is in Ukrainian, with the text displayed in English on screens on either side of the stage, so it is not a night to forget your glasses!

The play is set in 1833 in Donegal in the small town of Baile Beag (later anglicised to Ballybeg) and tells the story of a British Army officer, Lieutenant Yolland, who falls for the beautiful local woman Máire. Yolland has arrived in Baile Beag, along with his superior officer, Captain Lancey, as they are creating a map of the area. They have employed a local man, Owen, to assist with the task of renaming the locations with names more palatable to an English-speaking tongue.

It is unusual for a theatre in Ukraine to be exploring the work of Brian Friel in this fashion, but elements of the story reflect events in Ukraine’s recent past. The importance of a language to one’s national identity, along with access to its literature does have an impact on your worldview. This production also allows Irish people to see the importance of their own language, which is treated with indifference and apathy. Often, it is only when we see the world through other people’s eyes we realise what is important.

As you would expect on opening night, the reaction to the production was very positive. There were many Ukrainians in the audience, who cheered loudly as the large cast took their bows, with the Ukranian flag projected onto the backdrop! The production runs until Saturday (24th of June) if you want to see this unique spectacle on an Irish stage.