A SHORT HISTORY OF TRACTORS IN UKRAINIAN

Director - Sally Whyte

Marina Lewycka’s bestselling novel, shortlisted for The Orange Prize for Fictionin 2005, sold over one million copies worldwide, winning both The Bollinger Everyman Prize for Comic Fiction and the Waverton Good Read Award.

Adapted for the stage by award-winning writer Tanika Gupta, it was first performed at Hull Truck Theatre in 2017 as part of the celebrations for Hull’s year as City of Culture. Our production will mark its amateur premiere.

Nikolai, an 84 year old retired Ukrainian engineer and tractor historian living in Peterborough, is besotted with 36 year old bombshell Valentina and determined to marry her. His daughters, Vera and Nadezhda, who haven’t spoken since the death of their mother, unite in horror to defend their father and what remains of his pension. But is Valentina a refugee searching for better opportunities, or a bogus visa seeker trying to cheat a vulnerable old man? As Valentina’s dreams of Western prosperity begin to shatter, things take a darker turn.

Told with theatrical gusto by a strong cast and lively ensemble, A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian is a compelling story and a highly entertaining play. At a time when the refugee crisis is constantly in the news, it reminds us of the individuals affected and the reasons for their movement across borders, regardless of age or generation. Despite its serious undertones, it is also very funny, with plenty of laugh-out-loud comedy moments. Not to be missed!

This Poulner Players production donated money in support of the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs

One of the largest rural youth organisations in the UK dedicated to young people who have a love for agriculture and rural life.