Sumy National Academic M. Shchepkin Theater of Drama and Musical Comedy

LUNGS
By Duncan McMillan
Director: Vladyslav Pysarev

Age restriction: 18+
(The play contains profanity)

“Lungs” explores how difficult it is to breathe fully when hindered by various social phobias. It questions how to be a couple in a rapidly changing world and what it means to bring a new life into it. Stage director Vladyslav Pysarev shares that after the start of the full-scale invasion, the idea of creating a play that could be performed in a basement room emerged. The concept was for the theater to continue its life under any conditions, even in a performance with minimal scenery, lighting, costumes, and actors.

The director is convinced: “The fears experienced by the characters are normal, because if you seriously consider issues like ecological problems, economic difficulties, and food shortages, it becomes challenging to make balanced decisions. We envision the play ‘Lungs’ as one that should be performed in a bomb shelter because when a couple is on the brink of a disaster like war and discussing another ‘disaster’ such as the birth of a child, the themes intertwine, adding additional layers of meaning and intensity to the play.”

Duration: 1h 15min.