Play explores life behind the Iron Curtain

Ukraine and Russia: two nations whose conflict is in the headlines, two nations with a shared history.

Their relationship is fertile ground for a performance that puts us at the very heart of that story and reminds us that behind current events, there are people involved.

Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario presents “Moi dans les ruines rouges du siècle,” a Trois Tristes Tigres production, winner of the Prix de la critique 2012 de l’Association québécoise des critiques de théâtre. The play runs April 23-25.

It’s the story of Sasha Samar, an amazing storyteller. Kinapped and raised by his father, Sasha longs for one thing during his childhood: to become famous so that his mother can find him. With rhythm and energy and a Slavic bon vivant attitude, his play is alive with history, but also with music and dance.

Relive the last decades of the 20th century as viewed from the other side of the Iron Curtain. As recent political turmoil in his home country still resonates, Samar will draw you into the intensity of Ukraine’s love-hate relationship with Russia.

The drafting of the play “Moi dans les ruines rouges du siècle” is the result of an amicable conversation between two good friends, the actor Sasha Samar and the director Olivier Kemeid.

“During the fall months, we met up for at least three hours each week. Our meetings persisted well into the winter months that same year,” said Kemeid.

“I wrote on more than 50 pages in my notebook. You see, Sasha is the man with a thousand lives.”

In 2012, Kemeid wrote and directed the play, while Samar played the leading role. After all, the story that unfolds from the very beginning of the play, is his.

The play runs at 8 p.m. April 23-25, as well as at 2 p.m. April 25. English surtitles are available at both April 25 performances.

Tickets, which cost between $5 and $23, are available at leTNO.ca/billetterie.