We take a look at what is being said about the set of plays directed by Nicolas Kent.
The Guardian: **** “The production is a reminder of the vital interventions of theatre in making sense of the world and, in this case, to explain the present by dramatising the past. Given current events playing out in the Middle East, maybe we need such a project tracing the colonial history of that region next.”
Islington Tribune: “Despite some flaws, Ukraine Unbroken offers a poignant, illuminating mosaic of people’s resilience in defiance of tyranny.”
The Arts Desk: *** “Kent, directing, makes the most of his excellent multitasking cast of six, but has to struggle with the logistics of creating five different settings, without any fancy stage machinery to help him. Props and furnishings have to be lugged on and off, some oddly elaborate, like the curtaining in the first play’s hotel room.”
The Stage: **** “Sobering facts and intriguing moral dilemmas crackle in this collection of short plays about the war in Ukraine.”
The Standard: *** “There’s a pleasing economy to the way the mini-rep company of actors and Michael Taylor’s set adapt themselves to the different stories. There is a sense of a group of artists coming together in the belief that something must be said; that theatre cannot apathetically sit back; that uncomfortable truths and hideous memories matter. As a piece of staging, this isn’t perfect. But I think it is important.”
Theatre Weekly: **** “The production looks at draft‑dodging, national identity, stolen children and the Geneva Convention, this last point feeling especially poignant on the day the American Secretary of Defense mocked “politically correct wars” and described the military rules of engagement as “stupid”.”
London Theatre Reviews.co.uk: **** “There is a lot to take in – the running time weighs in at two hours and forty minutes, including interval – but we should seek to take it all in, to be amused one minute and appalled the next, forced to confront difficult truths and distressing situations. Ukraine, still fighting, should not be forgotten. This play – in achieving its mission to both entertain and educate – makes a valuable contribution to keeping Ukraine, its heroic people and its important mission for wider European security, in our hearts and minds.”
The Reviews Hub: *** 1/2 “Not all of Ukraine Unbroken’s five short plays can stand up on their own, but those that can are expertly thought out and emotionally riveting. Weaving them together through Petrovska’s eyes is a bright touch that avoids making the show feel disjointed. Although some pieces are lacking in power and refinement, Ukraine Unbroken is a well-structured, emotionally powerful night at the theatre.”
British Theatre Guide: “The individual plays vary in style and content but give an intriguing and strong presentation of the situation for Ukraine and its people. It makes quite heavy going but holds the attention telling a story that we rarely hear in such detail.”
Plays to See.com: **** “Linking all the plays as scenery changes took place was the very appealing contribution of vocalist Mariia Petrovska, who accompanied herself on the bandura with fine technique and emotional intensity that offered an appropriate underscore to the evening, enhanced by her own anecdotes of exile and return.”
London Theatre 1: *** “The production’s aims are, of course, honourable, and a very informative programme includes details of charitable organisations providing, amongst other things, humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation and psychological care. The technical aspects of the production worked well, particularly Joe Dines’ sound design, which (perhaps inevitably) included a lot of bomb and ammunition noise – it was convincing without being as ear-splitting as actual gunfire would be.”
A Young(ish) Perspective: **** 1/2 “All five plays are performed by an ensemble cast of Daniel Betts, Ian Bonar, Sally Giles, David Michaels, Clara Read and Jade Williams. The cast rotate seamlessly between roles, imbuing each character with complexity and humanity they deserve. Although the situation, not just in Ukraine but across the world, feels as bleak in 2026 as at any point in recent memory, Ukraine Unbroken offers a vital reminder that resilience itself can be an act of defiance. As the title suggests, despite the brutality inflicted by four years of war, Ukraine endures, not merely as a territory under siege, but as an idea, a culture and a people who refuse to be erased.”
Adventures in Theatreland: **** “It is an ambitious and thought-provoking collection of plays that, despite being slightly overstretched, is full of fury and heartfelt emotion that recognises and exclaims the resilience of the Ukrainian people amid unimaginable conditions.”
All That Dazzles: *** “Ukraine Unbroken is a production born of commendable purpose, and in its finest moments, particularly Three Mates, it achieves something genuinely moving. Petrovska’s bandura playing is a beautiful and haunting presence throughout, lending the production a cultural specificity and emotional texture that the writing does not always match.”
London Pub Theatres Magazine: *** 1/2 “Overall, Ukraine Unbroken provides some interesting insight into the current conflict in Ukraine. The staging, design and the cast bring the stories to life. Five plays are probably too much, and it might have benefitted from having fewer plays with each having more time to explore their stories. Moreover, it is a shame there are not more Ukrainian voices in the evening. This is brought home by the presence of a Ukrainian actor and Mariia Petrovska. Her stories and beautiful songs, played on a bandura (a traditional Ukrainian instrument) between the plays are the undoubted highlight of the evening.”
To book tickets visit: https://www.arcolatheatre.com/event/ukraine-unbroken/