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MARIUPOL

5 February 2025 to 22 February 2025 The Cockpit

Two Lives. Thirty Years. One War....

Following highly acclaimed script-in-hand performances at The Old Fire Station, Oxford, MARIUPOL comes to The Cockpit as a full production. Written by Katia Haddad, the play is based on her treasured memories of the city and accounts of the survivors of the siege. 

Set over three fateful encounters between Steve and Galina in 1992, 2002 and 2022, MARIUPOL is an emotionally charged drama that challenges the characters with intense moral dilemmas. 

" Your son has signed a contract with the Russian Army", they told me. "He's been deployed to Ukraine."
It didn't make sense. His conscription service was ending in March. He was supposed to be home by now.

"Mama," he told me on the phone. "They lied to us. I didn't want to fight."

In the wake of the horrific destruction of Mariupol by Russian forces in March 2022,  Galina journeys to the city to find her son, an unwilling soldier, and comes face to face with Steve, a Ukrainian commander who she has known for thirty years……Will he release her son?

Katia Haddad is a writer, playwright and screenwriter. Her other works include the novel Tatiana’s Day, and Swapnight, a satirical comedy for 4 actors. MARIUPOL is the author’s personal response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. 

John Retallack is an Olivier-award winning writer and theatre director with the career spanning for over forty years. John was a founder of the Actors Touring Company (1977 1985) and the Company of Angels (2000-2010). He is an Associate Artist of Bristol Old Vic. Since 2017 John runs Oxford Playwriting course for professional writers. 

Nathalie Barclay (Galina) is a British/American actress. Theatre credits include Don’t Destroy Me (Arcola Theatre) and Visitors (Watermill Theatre). TV credits include Killing Eve (BBC 1), The Diplomat (Netflix), Surface (Apple TV). 

Oliver Gomm (Steve) is a British actor, poet and artist. Theatre credits include Kill Me Now (Park Theatre), The School of Sheming (Orange Tree Theatre). TV credits include The Coroner (BBC 1) and SS-GB (BBC1).

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