Barvinok

“[Barvinok] is a quietly remarkable event… tightly written, beautifully designed, and skillfully performed” – Moody on Theatre, Toronto

Set in 2017, just 3 years after the Russian invasion in 2014, Barvinok weaves traditional polyphonic Ukrainian folk music and dramatic storytelling to tell a personal story of war and intergenerational trauma.

Inspired by the experiences of the playwright’s grandparents who fled Ukraine during WWII, and true stories from the country’s current conflict, this multiple Sterling Award-nominated production offers a rare window into the unimaginable experience of war, both past and present.

Through words, multi-media, and live Ukrainian folk music, Barvinok depicts the struggles of the Ukrainian people against the atrocities of Stalin to the horrors of Hitler, while drawing disturbing parallels to the current Putin regime. It gives voice to the people whose lives have been affected by Russian aggression, which prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, had killed more than 10,000 people, and displaced millions. Now, the unprovoked and unjustified attack has seen even greater devastation throughout Ukraine.

“Makuch, Lundeen and MacKenzie have done a remarkable job of creating a theatrical experience that ties together a heritage journey with thoughtful commentary on a place tragically caught up in cycles of oppression and violence.” – Karen Fricker, Toronto Star

“[Barvinok] packs a punch” – Amy Strizic, My Entertainment World