Kyiv theatre stages Homer's Odyssey as a modern Ukrainian war epic

Homer's timeless epic, the Odyssey, has been transformed into a contemporary Ukrainian war saga on stage in Kyiv. The new production, titled "Odysseus, Maeotis," performed at the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater, merges ancient myth with the harsh realities of the ongoing conflict.

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I think this combination of myth and modernity allows us to draw parallels and understand just how critical the question of return is: the return of military personnel to civilian life, the return of our territories and the return of ourselves to our true identity as Ukrainians.

The play features a unique cast comprising both professional actors and active-duty soldiers, including serviceman Daniil Mireshkin, who portrays the warrior king Odysseus. Mireshkin highlighted the production's relevance, stating, "I think this combination of myth and modernity allows us to draw parallels and understand just how critical the question of return is: the return of military personnel to civilian life, the return of our territories and the return of ourselves to our true identity as Ukrainians."

Director Ivan Uryvskyi acknowledged that the play significantly departs from Homer's original text, focusing instead on the core narrative arc of Odysseus's return home. The production replaces mythical monsters with modern instruments of war, such as drones and robotic war machines, projected onto the actors and set. The staging is intentionally austere and unsettling, reflecting the grim atmosphere of wartime.

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This story helps us talk about these topics, which, as it turns out, haven’t lost any of their relevance.

The title itself, "Maeotis," references an ancient name for the Sea of Azov, a region encompassing Mariupol, the port city besieged and seized by Russian forces. The play is deeply rooted in the experiences of Ukraine's defenders, drawing from accounts of those involved in the defense of Mariupol, including members of the Azov Brigade. Playwright Oleksii Dorychevskyi conducted a year of interviews with former prisoners of war for the production, with an estimated 600 Azov Brigade servicemen still held in Russian captivity.

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Of course, very little of Homer’s original text remains here, because the play was written from scratch. We simply took the core narrative arc - Odysseus’ return home.

For actress Daryna Leheida, who plays Penelope, the ancient queen's plight resonates with the experiences of Ukrainian women anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones from the front lines. The play's premiere has faced repeated delays due to successive Russian attacks, underscoring the immediate and pervasive impact of the war on daily life and cultural expression in Ukraine.

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It’s about the fate of Ukrainian women who wait.