The Reckoning review shattering stories of invasion in Ukraine

Published: Friday, June 6, 2025 at 5:00 am

The Reckoning: A Play Unveils Brutality of Ukraine Invasion

A new play, "The Reckoning," is offering a stark and unflinching look at the human cost of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Based on the work of The Reckoning Project, which gathers firsthand accounts from conflict victims, the play presents a series of harrowing stories designed to bring attention to potential war crimes.

The production features verbatim testimony, including accounts of torture and the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians. One particularly poignant scene depicts a woman receiving a phone call from her missing husband's number, only to discover the caller is a stranger who found the phone near a corpse. Another scene portrays a man demonstrating the three-knot restraint used in torture. The play also highlights the widespread destruction, with one scene depicting two survivors of a vast area encountering each other in a post-apocalyptic landscape.

Co-writers Anastasiia Kosidii and Josephine Burton focus on the brutal realities of the invasion, moving beyond the broad strokes of death tolls and international diplomacy to present intimate details of the suffering endured by Ukrainians. To provide a contrast to the harrowing accounts, the play incorporates moments of normalcy, such as a survivor preparing a Ukrainian summer salad while speaking with a journalist.

The play features British actors in the central roles, while Ukrainian performers take on smaller roles and serve as emcees. The production culminates with a symbolic distribution of salad to the audience, a gesture that cannot erase the play's powerful message. "The Reckoning" serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed during the invasion and the importance of holding those responsible accountable, even as peace negotiations may eventually take place. The play is currently running at the Arcola Theatre in London until June 28th.

BNN's Perspective:

"The Reckoning" offers a necessary and powerful reminder of the human cost of war. While the use of British actors in the central roles may detract from the regional specificity for some, the play's focus on the victims' experiences and its commitment to documenting potential war crimes is commendable. It is crucial to remember the suffering of civilians and to pursue justice, regardless of the eventual political outcomes.

Keywords: The Reckoning, Ukraine, Russian invasion, war crimes, testimony, torture, conflict, civilians, play, Arcola Theatre, London, Anastasiia Kosidii, Josephine Burton, human cost, atrocities, accountability

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