Veterans Showcase Tragicomedy 'Elevator Director' on Stage in Lviv

A significant event unfolded in Lviv as veterans, who are patients at the UNBROKEN center, took to the stage of the First Theatre to present the tragicomedy titled 'Elevator Director.' This documentary play, written by the veterans themselves, is dedicated to their lives and the rehabilitation process they undergo at the center. According to the Lviv City Council, the performance also served as a fundraising event to support Mark Gladys, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The play initially began with a reading at the theatre, which sparked a demand for its stage adaptation. The veterans were given the opportunity to try their hand at acting, marking an important milestone in their rehabilitation and self-expression journey.

The director of the play, Svitlana Fedeshova, emphasized the quality of the production, stating: 'This is a sufficiently high-quality stage story. And it's very cool that our veterans, who are just amazing people, can do this. I believe they worked hard on their roles, and I see great development, potential, and talent.' Her words underline the significance of the creative process for veterans, who, despite the challenges they have faced, were able to showcase their abilities on stage.

One of the main characters in the play, Roman Onuchko, shared his impressions: 'I had never been on stage before, and I had never even been to a theatre. I was injured on the Kursk front on January 8, 2025, and by February, I found myself at UNBROKEN.' Roman revealed that the play is partially based on his own experiences at the center, as well as the stories of other patients like Phil and Ruslan. 'This is my life story when I was at the UNBROKEN center. It was further enriched by Phil and Ruslan. Thus, we ended up with a comedic play. The performance is positive — people laugh, and that's good,' the actor noted.

It is worth mentioning that the dramatic arts program at the UNBROKEN center has been operational for about a year, indicating active efforts in rehabilitating veterans through culture and the arts. This initiative has become a crucial step in supporting veterans who seek to adapt to peaceful life after their service.

As reported, Lviv is also launching a rehabilitation program for veterans through culture, highlighting the importance of art as a tool for recovery and socialization. Veterans participating in such projects not only have the opportunity to realize their creative potential but also to forge new social connections and support networks.

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