A new Ukrainian play explores the absurdities of war and life — 26–30 August at Barons Court Theatre.
Barons Court Theatre will host A Fan of War, a timely and darkly comedic new play by acclaimed Ukrainian playwright Polina Polozhentseva, from August 26–30 at 7:30pm, to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day.
Directed and produced by Anastazie Toros, A Fan of War follows a young Ukrainian woman trying to reconcile daily life in London with the traumatic reality unfolding back home. Each ping of her phone brings another reminder of war, as she struggles to find meaning in love, while others endure unimaginable loss.
Bogdana Kalantay and Nathan Trochet star in this emotionally charged production that asks: How do we live with war when we are far from it?
The play premiered to a sold-out audience at Camden People’s Theatre in February 2025 and was praised for its poignant balance of humour and heartbreak.
“At some point, I couldn’t take reality seriously anymore,” says Polozhentseva. “So I wrote a comedy — one of those sad ones, where you’re not sure whether to laugh or cry.”
“This character speaks for all Ukrainians living far from home,” adds Toros.
Presented during a critical moment of international tension — including recent developments in Alaska negotiations between Trump and Putin — A Fan of War resonates beyond borders as a powerful reflection on war, displacement, and emotional dissonance.
About the TeamAnastazie Toros is a London-based theatre director. Recent credits include Refuse (Assembly George Studios,
Edinburgh Fringe 2025, Save The Light and Finding a Voice (Barons Court Theatre), and Penita La Tragediya (Lesia Ukrainka Theatre, Kyiv). She also assisted on A Time Traveller's Guide to Donbas (Nottingham Playhouse).
Polina Polozhentseva is a Ukrainian playwright based in London. Her plays include Don’t Freak Out (Wild Theatre, Kyiv), Grandma and Grandpa Are Having Sex (Theatre of Playwrights, Kyiv), and Save The Light (Barons Court Theatre). Her work has been staged internationally and translated into English, German, and Polish.
Bogdana Kalantay is a German-Ukrainian actress based in London and Berlin. She trained at East 15 Acting School. Her screen credits include Rock, Paper, Scissors (BAFTA-winning short), A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian (BBC Radio 4), and Land of Smiles.
Nathan Trochet is a French actor trained at East 15 Acting School. Recent stage credits include The Vampire Deadlines and Opening Night with Pickles Company.
Performance Details:Barons Court Theatre, London
26–30 August 2025
7:30pm nightly
Tickets Available
hereInstagram: @afanofwar I
@anastazie_toros I
@nathantrochet I
@polyanna_writer
