Cinema VinesIn Kyiv, a new theatrical production has taken the ancient epic of Homer's Odyssey and turned it into a stark, contemporary commentary on Ukraine’s ongoing war. Titled “Odysseus, Maeotis,” the play is staged at the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater and features professional actors alongside active‑duty soldiers, including Daniil Mireshkin, who portrays the legendary king. The production, written by Oleksii Dorychevskyi, draws on a year of interviews with former prisoners of war and the experiences of the Azov Brigade, now part of the 1st Corps Azov of the National Guard.
Director Ivan Uryvskyi explained that the show deliberately strips away most of Homer’s original text, keeping only the core narrative of Odysseus’ arduous return home. The setting is intentionally austere, with a darkened stage illuminated by neon bars and projections that replace the mythic monsters of the original poem with drones and robotic war machines. This visual metaphor underscores the parallel journey of the soldiers and the civilians awaiting their return.
Mireshkin, who is both a soldier and actor, said the fusion of myth and modernity helps audiences confront the “critical question of return” – the return of military personnel to civilian life, the restoration of Ukraine’s territories, and the reclamation of Ukrainian identity. He added that the story remains relevant, even as the premiere has been postponed repeatedly due to Russian attacks on the city.
The title “Maeotis” references the ancient name for the Sea of Azov, the body of water that borders Mariupol, a port city seized by Russia after a 2022 siege. The play draws on accounts from defenders of Mariupol, highlighting the plight of those trapped in exile and captivity. According to the Corps, around 600 Azov brigade servicemen are still held in Russian captivity.
Daryna Leheida, who plays Penelope, noted that the ancient queen’s longing mirrors the experiences of Ukrainian women who wait for loved ones to return. She described the role as a reflection of hope, belief, and the sense of powerlessness that many feel during the conflict.
