Colchester Fringe: Blood. Fear. Courage.

Blood. Fear. Courage. This theatre performance explores the experiences of the ordinary people of Ukraine, as they fought for their freedom.

Performed by Ukrainian actors, and with text taken directly from the extraordinary eye witness accounts of the people who fought for – and were then forced to flee – their country, this challenging drama takes the audience inside the dramatic moments that changed history, as the clock ticked down to zero hour on events that would change our world forever.

Winter, 2022. As Russia’s army amasses on its border, the people of Ukraine go about their business whilst quietly preparing for the worst. Many speak of mere ‘military exercises’. Many are unconvinced that Putin will invade. But as the final diplomatic attempts to avoid the war fail, it now becomes clear that nothing can prevent the attack.

Vladimir Putin goes before the world to announce that the invasion of Ukraine has begun, describing the attack as a ‘special military operation’. The assault begins before dawn. The people of Kyiv awake to the sound of a volley of huge blasts, and by mid-morning there is gridlock on the roads as thousands try to flee the Russians.

This unmissable performance tells the remarkable story of the Ukrainian people. Their testimonies lend to the event a dramatic intensity, and an authenticity, that makes for a powerful and compelling piece of live theatre.

Content Warning: This performance includes graphic descriptions of war and adult language