Mariupol – London Theatre

After successful script-in-hand performances at The Old Fire Station, Oxford, MARIUPOL comes to The Cockpit as a full production for the first time.
Written by Katia Haddad, MARIUPOL is based on her treasured memories of the city and accounts of the siege survivors. The play is directed by John Retallack, an Olivier-award-winning writer and director.

Summer 1992. Mariupol. Galina, a student from Moscow, meets Steve, a charismatic Navy officer. Thirty years later, she comes back looking for him in a bunker under the bombed Azovstal. Even on the opposite sides of the war, their lives are connected.

Set over three fateful encounters in 1992, 2002, and 2022, MARIUPOL is a modern drama whose characters are faced with intense moral dilemmas.

Katia Haddad is a writer and playwright. MARIUPOL is the author’s response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

John Retallack is an Olivier-award-winning writer and theatre director with a career spanning over forty years. John founded 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 has run the 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), and 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).

“I urge everyone to see this play – heart-breaking and hopeful in equal measure.”  Audience member, Oxford

The play supports the David Nott Foundation, which does incredible work training doctors in countries impacted by conflict and catastrophe, including Ukraine. David’s book “War Doctor” greatly inspired the playwright Katia Haddad when writing Mariupol and was one of our reasons for supporting the foundation.

“War Doctor astounded me by the honesty and bravery of David’s stories from the underbelly of war. Whilst most people prefer to look away, medics like David Nott volunteer on the very front line of human suffering.” – Katia Haddad