Actors who sheltered in Ukraine’s Mariupol theatre bring story of bombing to the stage
The Donetsk theatre in the city of Mariupol was supposed to be a place of safety for hundreds of civilians sheltering during the first few weeks of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine. A sign bearing the word “children” was marked on the ground outside, visible from the air.
On 16 March 2022, the building was bombed. Authorities at the time said about 300 people had died, although some estimates were higher.
The stories of survivors are now being recounted by actors who were among those sheltering in the theatre at the time. Mariupol Drama, a play which opens in the UK this week, features real video footage captured on their phones, and personal items saved from the rubble.
A warning that children were sheltering inside the theatre was visible from the skies. Pic: Maxar Technologies
Olena Bila and her partner Ihor Kytrysh, who have acted at the theatre since 2003, managed to escape the devastation with their son, Matvii.
“This is a story with a lot of memories from a previous life,” Olena tells Sky News from Ukraine, speaking through a translator. “We worked and lived in Mariupol and did what we loved. In a few days, we lost everything.”
The family also lost their home. Olena says she hopes the play shows that material possessions are not what’s important.
“We lost the material side of our lives. We want to show for everybody that all items around you, the material side of your life, doesn’t matter… it’s your mind, it’s your soul, it’s your heart [that does].”
The theatre was bombed in March 2022
The couple also hope the production will remind people, almost three years on from the start of Russia’s invasion, that the war is still ongoing.
“We are still at war,” Olena says. “It’s our stories, real stories. Not Hollywood fiction, but a story of real people in Ukraine.
“It’s very hard to see that this war is still continuing. We still have no room for our plans for the future.”
After the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the theatre, in the city’s Tsentralnyi district, became a hub for the distribution of medicine, food and water, and a designated gathering point for people hoping to be evacuated from Mariupol via humanitarian corridors.
Personal items saved from the theatre are used on stage in the play. Pic: Tiberi Shiutiv
The building was attacked after weeks of Russian fire on Mariupol.
Vira Lebedynska, the theatre’s head of music and drama, is also one of the performers in Mariupol Drama. When the bombs hit, she was sheltering in an underground room used for music recording which remained mostly untouched, she says.
It saved her.
Russia denied bombing the building deliberately. Following their own investigation, Amnesty International described the attack as a war crime.
British actor David MacCreedy heard about Mariupol Drama and met the actors during an aid trip to Ukraine and says he was struck “by just how powerful it was”. He has been instrumental in bringing the story to the UK.
“It needed to be seen here,” he says.
The play’s actors want to show that despite the destruction of the building, Mariupol’s theatre is still alive.
“Our theatre is fighting,” says Olena.”It is restored not to cry, but to fight.”
Mariupol Drama is on at the Home performing arts centre in Manchester from today until Saturday.
Chris Brown has been remanded in custody until 13 June by a judge in Manchester.
The R&B singer is facing an allegation of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and has been charged.
He is accused of attacking music producer Abraham Diaw with a bottle at the Tape nightclub in central London.
The incident allegedly took place back in February 2023.
During a hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, prosecutor Hannah Nicholls said Brown had committed “an unprovoked attack with a weapon in a nightclub full of people”.
She told the court that Brown had struck Mr Diaw with the bottle several times. He then allegedly chased the victim and proceeded to punch and kick him in an attack caught on CCTV.
Brown arrived at the dock flanked by court officials. His hair was bleached blond, and he wore sweatpants and a black T-shirt.
He spoke to confirm his name and date of birth, but did not enter a plea.
District Judge Joanne Hirst said the alleged offence was “too serious” to be dealt with in her court, and sent the case to London’s Southwark Crown Court.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Brown will next appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing in the capital on 13 June after a bail application was denied.
The 36-year-old was arrested at a hotel in Manchester in the early hours of Thursday by detectives from the Metropolitan Police.
Brown’s global tour is due to begin in The Netherlands on 8 June, and he is also scheduled to perform at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on 15 June.
Prior to the court hearing, CPS London North’s deputy chief crown prosecutor Adele Kelly said: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Brown’s representatives have been contacted for comment.
It’s the world’s biggest music competition, and this year the Eurovision Song Contest is being held in Switzerland – the location of Eurovision’s first ever show.
Canadian singing royalty Celine Dion (a previous Eurovision winner) has already delivered a pre-recorded speech during the semi-finals and there’s speculation she may turn up for the final in Basel – health permitting.
Now, with 26 nations set to compete for the coveted glass microphone, here are the best bits to watch out for.
KAJ performing Bara Bada Bastu. Pic: EBU
Who will win?
Sweden’s entry Bara Bada Bastu (Just Sauna), performed by Finish comedy group KAJ, is the song to beat. An ode to – you’ve guessed it – saunas, it comes complete with a quartet of bucket hat-wearing and towel-draped dancers.
A total earworm – it’s got double the number of views on YouTube of any other competing act.
It’s the bookies’ favourite by a longshot, and Sweden has past Eurovision form – with seven wins to its name, a feat matched only by Ireland, which didn’t make it through to the final this year.
JJ performing Wasted Love. Pic: EBU
Austrian-Filipino singer-songwriter JJ – who originally trained as a countertenor – is representing Austria with operatic ballad Wasted Love.
Making the most of his falsetto voice – in a way not dissimilar to last year’s winner Nemo – it tells a story of unrequited love, saving a techno breakdown for the last third of the song. Classic Eurovision.
The bookies fancy this one too, and it’s the second favourite to win.
Claude performing C’est La Vie for the Netherlands. Pic: EBU
Back in the game after its act was unceremoniously kicked out of the competition shortly before the final last year, the Netherlands has Claude representing the country with C’est La Vie.
A refugee from the bloody civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he moved to the Netherlands at the age of nine.
His English and French language song, which combines elements of chanson and French-Caribbean zouk, is a tribute to his mother, who taught him to see the light in life despite hardship.
Louane performing Maman for France. Pic: EBU
French singer Louane, also has an emotional French language song written for her mother, who died when she was just 17.
Maman tells a story of three female generations, ending with her daughter’s voice, guaranteed to put a lump in your throat unless you have a heart of stone.
Remember Monday. Pic:BBC /Rob Parfitt
What about the UK?
Remember Monday are representing the UK with What the Hell Just Happened?
The country pop trio, who auditioned for The Voice UK in 2019, first met at Farnborough Sixth Form in Hampshire, and are the UK’s first all-female group act since Precious in 1999.
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‘It was designed to bring people and countries together’
They were guaranteed to make the final, as the UK is part of Eurovision’s “Big Five” – the countries who make the biggest financial contributions to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
They’ll be hoping for a better result than Olly Alexander, who came 18th at Malmo in 2024, and Mae Muller who placed second last at Liverpool in 2023.
Their song’s title will prove a gift to headline writers should they fail in that mission…
From deeply moving to silly, to utter filth
Eurovision never fails to surprise with its power pop and outrageous outfits, and this year is no exception – with both plenty of quirk and plenty of heart on offer.
Slovenian comedian Klemen Slakonja is best known for his impressions of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
But his ballad – How Much Time Do We Have Left – is a moving response to his wife’s cancer diagnosis.
His performance includes him being hung upside down to symbolise his disorientation on receiving the life-changing news.
Klemen performing How Much Time Do We Have Left. Pic: EBU
Diagnosed with bone marrow cancer, actress Mojca Fatur, has defied the odds and joins him at Eurovision, providing a message of hope and survival against the odds.
In a blast to the past, San Marino’s entry, Tutta L’Italia, was written by Gabry Ponte – one of the members of Eurodance group Eiffel 65, who wrote late 90s hit Blue (Da BaDee). It’s a tribute to everything Italian, mixing dance beats with the traditional folk of Calabria.
Following the same theme, Estonia’s Espresso Macchiato also offers an absurd review of all things Italian and is performed by Tommy Cash – a previous Charli XCX collaborator.
Meanwhile, Malta’s Miriana Conte’s original lyrics had to be rewritten due to complaints they broke broadcasting guidelines with an X-rated innuendo. Even with tweaked lyrics the song is pretty raunchy.
While Finland’s Erika Vikman’s song, Ich Komme, is all about “pleasure” and “ecstasy”. Interpret those themes as you will.
Erika Vikman performing Ich Komme for Finland. Pic: EBU
War amid the glitz
Despite a strict apolitical stance, geopolitical conflict has affected Eurovision over the last few years.
In 2022, Russia was banned from participating over the Ukraine war, and both this year and last, there have been calls for Israel to be banned over its actions in Gaza.
Yuval Raphael performing New Day Will Rise. Pic: EBU
Yuval Raphael, who survived the October 7 2023 attacks which were the catalyst for Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, is representing Israel.
She will perform her Hebrew, French and English language entry, a piano ballad, New Day Will Rise.
Israel has won Eurovision four times, and last year finished in fifth place.
This year, the ban on certain flags being waved in the auditorium has been relaxed, meaning Palestinian symbols are likely to be seen in the St Jakobshalle arena.
Ziferblat performing Bird of Pray. Pic: EBU
Meanwhile, Ukraine, which first entered the competition in the year after Russia invaded, has made it to the grand final each time since then – winning in 2023 and coming third last year.
This year the country will be represented by alternative rock group Ziferblat (whose name translates as clock face), with the dramatic track Bird Of Pray.
The English and Ukrainian language song features lyrics about reuniting with lost loved ones and returning home.
Sky News will be covering the grand final on Saturday night, so check back in to see who claims the Eurovision title.
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