Review: Vanya is Alive, Omnibus Theatre 

Grief. The emotion which may quite possibly be the worst feeling of all. It is the one part of life which may be the most painful, and the one aspect which almost everyone will feel at some point in their life. Vanya is Alive, written by Natalia Lizorkina, is a story told through the perspective of a grieving mother, and while the show is advertised as being about disinformation, propaganda and living in an oppressive political environment, it is also about how political, economic and social factors don’t seem to matter when someone is grieving, because all they can think about is the one who is not coming back.

Actor Nikolay Mulakov portrays all of the characters in a way which is profound and poetic. Mulakov single-handedly narrates the entire script, telling the audience who is speaking. He acts out the characters at times, never giving one character more depth than any other, but instead remaining neutral the entire time. At times Mulakov pauses to let the story, and Lizorkina’s writing, sink in, before moving on, thus adding to the power of the show.

Throughout the grieving process one of the stages is denial; a refusal to accept that the loved one is gone. Vanya’s mother, Alya, is in complete denial about the fact that her son is no longer coming back, and this denial is reflected in an environment where denial seems to be the only thing which motivates anyone. However, the thing about grief is that it demands to be felt, and in a society where stepping outside of the collective order is frowned upon Alya, who openly shows her grief, is seen as irrational and must be dealt with so that society can function.

Vanya is Alive is directed by Ivanka Polchecnko who guides the production in a way that is so simple, yet utterly powerful. Although there is minimal action, with every word that Mulakov utters and with every step taken the audience cannot look away. This performance is enhanced by lighting which adds to the intensity of the show. The lighting dims for a scene change, and when it shifts certain points of the show are enhanced. Mulakov takes full advantage of the lighting and moves in and out of the spotlight, which adds to the story. When Mulakov recites the line ‘the sun rises, and sets’ the passage of time and Alya’s grief become clear.

The point of the show is to bring awareness of oppressive political, economic and social forces, and how individuals cope living in such a world, which reeks of fear and pain. By looking through the lens of the grieving Alya, the show clearly makes a statement about the impact of social change, and the way that even an emotion as strong as grief can be suppressed. Vanya is Alive presents itself in a poetic fashion, and its controlled pacing adds to its depth and underlying message.

Written by: Natalia Lizorkina
Translated & Directed by: Ivanka Polchecnko

Vanya is Alive plays at the Omnibus Theatre until 8th February.