In development: the reckoning
A Post-apocalyptic Story Set in the present day
Synopsis
Our new theatre production is inspired by witness testimonies gathered by Ukrainian journalists from survivors of Russian aggression in Ukraine. It will be a compelling work of drama that gives a powerful human face to this international tragedy.
The Reckoning follows the story of a journalist who embarks on an extraordinary interview with a survivor of the Russian war in Ukraine. Together, they navigate a town scarred by conflict, where abandoned dogs and shattered cars bear witness to the aftermath.
The journalist, no stranger to the horrors of war, finds herself on a parallel path with the survivor. As they build trust and form an unbreakable bond, their emotional connection unfolds before our eyes, reminding us of the enduring power of human resilience in the face of adversity.
The Reckoning will be performed by a mixed cast of British and Ukrainian actors and rooted in physical theatre and storytelling. Mainly performed in English, there will be excerpts of witness stories in Ukrainian (with projected translations) that amplify the emotional journey, as we delve into the complex emotions of those touched by war.
DATES
On the 20th March, Josephine Burton and Rory Finnin, Professor of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Cambridge, hosted an event at Cambridge Junction which delved into the research of The Reckoning, and included sneak previews from the play.
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Creatives
Conceived and Directed by Josephine Burton
Written by Anastasiia Kosodii and Josephine Burton
Music and Sound arranged and designed by Anton Baibakov
Movement Direction by Josie Daxter
Artist Wellbeing Practitioner Lou Platt
Further Creatives TBA
The Reckoning is made possible thanks to our partner The Reckoning Project and is supported by Open Society Foundations, Fritt Ord Foundation, Goethe-Institut in Exile, Goethe-Institut London, and individual giving.
BACKGROUND
The Reckoning is part of The Reckoning Project, which gathers stories from survivors and witnesses to the current atrocities in Ukraine. Long after most journalists have moved on, their legally trained reporters spend months taking in-depth testimonies across Ukraine.
Our upcoming production follows a successful director-writer collaboration on the staged reading of Crimea 5am, funded by the British Council, co-written by Anastasiia Kosodii with Natalka Vorozhbyt, directed by Josephine Burton, produced by Dash Arts and presented at Kiln Theatre as part of the UK/Ukraine Season 2022/2023.
Read more about our decade-long programme of work with artists from Ukraine.
All pictures shown below were taken during The Reckoning Script Development Workshop at Goethe-Institut London, in December 2023.
PODCAST
Stay up-to-date on the process of creating by subscribing to our podcast series ‘The Reckoning’ on Dash Arts Podcast - available on all streaming platforms.
BLOG
Follow our journey to see how we approach the in-depth research needed for The Reckoning, and how we developing a script with these heart-wrenching powerful stories.
