What can never be taken away by war? What of our humanity can survive when faced with the greatest of obstacles?
It’s a Ukrainian folk wedding and you are invited! Our bride and groom, Svitla and Shum will celebrate their union, but will their marriage last amidst the challenges of the times?
We search for the answers through the music of our ancestors, reimagining folk with powerful singing and traditional Ukrainian instruments, to tell an autobiographical tragedy through a historical lens. Past and present will collide in this unique musical world created by new Ukrainian voices.
All profits made by the production will be donated to fundraisers in Ukraine. We are donating part of our income to Theater of Veterans.
Director, Dramaturg, Writer: Oleksandra Topolska
Producer, Music Director: Solomia Dzhurovska
Vocal coach: Dmytro Fonariuk
Costume Designer: Iryna Vasiuk
Designer & props: Aitor FH
Acting coach: Valentine Hripko
Choreography advice: Alyona Antypenko
We are supported by Old Diorama Arts Centre, Barbican Centre's Imagine Fund, Camden Giving and Theatre Deli's Shift+Space programme.
Cast:
Oleksandra Topolska - Svitla
Tomash Sokulski - Shum
Dmytro Fonariuk - Narod/Folk
Iryna Vasiuk - Narod/Folk
Kateryna Shyrokova - Narod/Folk
Solomia Dzhurovska - Narod/Folk
Olga Koniv - Narod/Folk
Matvii Smirnov - Father
Nina Davydova - Mother
Anastasia Palaida - Sister
Anna Starunska - Sister
'Viddani is a moving and soulful performance that takes audiences on a journey of love, celebration and grief. Theatre Deli is very proud to have supported Viddani in its first theatrical step and looks forward to the next iterations of the work.' - Vidya Divakaran, Theatre Deli
'The ethereal mood of the music, it has a lot of appeal for people anywhere.' - Audience response
'Even in times of war, music can keep important things, people and places "alive" through time.' - Audience response