Ukrainian student’s play transfers to North Devon Theatre Festival

16-year-old Plough Youth Theatre (PYT) student Kateryna Rudiakova came, on her own, to the UK as a Ukrainian refugee. At the time she was only 14 years old.

Kateryna was awarded a place at Kingsley School based on her academic achievements in the Ukraine. However, her family were unable to join her in the U.K.

She decided to write a highly personal play about her experience of becoming a refugee, entitled The Best Life.

The Best Life premiered at the Plough Arts Centre (Great Torrington, Devon) in March this year and is now poised to perform three shows at Fringe TheatreFest, Barnstaple (North Devon) between 27-30 June.

Now in its 18th year, Fringe TheatreFest is a four-day feast of comedy, drama, street-theatre, dance, music, magic and more.

The Festival’s organisers, Bill & Gill, said: “Fringe TheatreFest is a platform for a huge variety of voices that collectively provide an insight into what’s concerning people about the times we’re living through.

“This searing piece of theatre from Kateryna Rudiakova and the Plough Youth Theatre is a personal testament to a deadly war. Theatre may not be able to change the world, but it can bear witness and provoke a response.”

Kateryna’s script is powerful, honest and passionate and focuses on life, love and separation at a time of war.

Not only has Kateryna written this powerful piece, she has also directed fellow PYT students.

Their portrayal of the characters within her story prove to have immense depth and integrity.

Kateryna said: “The Best Life reminds us of the huge but transparent issue that many have forgotten about. The madness and pain of war, locked in Roksolana’s teenage heart, make us both cry and laugh, and her sincerity about her family that remained in Ukraine makes us live through the fear together with her.”

To find out more or to buy tickets for The Best Life, go to www.theatrefest.co.uk. For upcoming events at The Plough Arts Centre, go to www.theploughartscentre.org.uk.