this voice—over: this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, straight after this programme. further one month we have been following a group of ukrainian refugees, all seven of them prominent actors and directors in their home country. my life backin in their home country. my life back in ukraine was totally connected with theatre. they faced unprecedented - connected with theatre. they faced unprecedented challenges, fleeing their country to seek sanctuary overseas. i fleeing their country to seek sanctuary overseas.- fleeing their country to seek sanctuary overseas. i do find it hard because _

sanctuary overseas. i do find it hard because i _ sanctuary overseas. i do find it hard because i am - sanctuary overseas. i do find | it hard because i am worrying about my family, like, every minute. ., ., ., about my family, like, every minute. ., ., . , . about my family, like, every minute. ., ., ., , . minute. now, over a year since war broke _ minute. now, over a year since war broke out. _ minute. now, over a year since war broke out, they _ minute. now, over a year since war broke out, they are - minute. now, over a year since | war broke out, they are heading back to the professional theatre, many for the first time. ~ . . ., ., time. we have a final rehearsal toda in time. we have a final rehearsal today in the — time. we have a final rehearsal today in the afternoon, - time. we have a final rehearsal today in the afternoon, then i today in the afternoon, then after that, today in the afternoon, then afterthat, opening today in the afternoon, then after that, opening night. today in the afternoon, then afterthat, opening night. it's sold out. after that, opening night. it's sold out. �* sold out. after fleeing the violence _ sold out. after fleeing the violence of _ sold out. after fleeing the violence of war, _ sold out. after fleeing the violence of war, the - sold out. after fleeing the | violence of war, the actors have been brought together in their adopted home to put on maria, they play like no other. it is day one of rehearsals and the actors are greeted by a welcoming circle from the unity theatre, their home for the next four days.— theatre, their home for the next four days. hello everyone. my name _ next four days. hello everyone. my name is _ next four days. hello everyone. my name is shorena, _ next four days. hello everyone. my name is shorena, i - next four days. hello everyone. my name is shorena, i am - next four days. hello everyone. my name is shorena, i am an . my name is shorena, i am an actress and i will play the main role, maria. mil actress and i will play the main role, maria.- actress and i will play the main role, maria. all of the company — main role, maria. all of the company were _ main role, maria. all of the company were prominent i main role, maria. all of the - company were prominent actors and directors in their

homeland, taking to the stage in the country's figures venues as well as hit ukrainian films and television shows. i as well as hit ukrainian films and television shows. i worked in the national _ and television shows. i worked in the national theatre, - and television shows. i worked in the nationaltheatre, i- in the national theatre, i played juliet and juliet and romeo. it was one of my favourite roles.— romeo. it was one of my favourite roles. my name is sasha, favourite roles. my name is sasha. and _ favourite roles. my name is sasha, and i— favourite roles. my name is sasha, and i will— favourite roles. my name is sasha, and i will play - favourite roles. my name is sasha, and i will play one l favourite roles. my name is| sasha, and i will play one of the main _ sasha, and i will play one of the main characters in this play — the main characters in this play i_ the main characters in this play. i used to be an actor of the national theatre. and it was — the national theatre. and it was very— the national theatre. and it was very important and exciting. was very important and exciting-— was very important and excitina. g . , «a, . exciting. my name is viktoria. i used to _ exciting. my name is viktoria. i used to work— exciting. my name is viktoria. i used to work with _ exciting. my name is viktoria. | i used to work with volodymyr zelensky — i used to work with volodymyr zelensky for— i used to work with volodymyr zelensky for several— i used to work with volodymyr zelensky for several years. - i used to work with volodymyr zelensky for several years. he was a — zelensky for several years. he was a great _ zelensky for several years. he was a great manager- zelensky for several years. he was a great manager at - zelensky for several years. he was a great manager at that l was a great manager at that time. — was a great manager at that time. and — was a great manager at that time. and he _ was a great manager at that time. and he is— was a great manager at that time. and he is quite - was a great manager at that time. and he is quite a - was a great manager at that| time. and he is quite a good manager— time. and he is quite a good manager now _ time. and he is quite a good manager now. a _ time. and he is quite a good manager now. a great - time. and he is quite a good - manager now. a great manager, yes. — manager now. a great manager, es. ,, . manager now. a great manager, es, ,, . ., , manager now. a great manager, yes. since war broke out, their

lives have _ yes. since war broke out, their lives have changed _ yes. since war broke out, their lives have changed beyond - lives have changed beyond recognition. when missiles began to fall, survival to presidents over the this stage. shorena is married to producer yurii. ~ ., ~' shorena is married to producer yurii. ~ ., ~ , shorena is married to producer yurii. ~ , ., yurii. we woke up at five o'clock — yurii. we woke up at five o'clock because - yurii. we woke up at five o'clock because there - yurii. we woke up at five l o'clock because there were explosions. we are very happy that our daughter was sleeping and she didn't hear these sounds. ., ., and she didn't hear these sounds-— sounds. the dawn of a frightening _ sounds. the dawn of a frightening new - sounds. the dawn of a frightening new era i sounds. the dawn of a frightening new era in | sounds. the dawn of a - frightening new era in europe. care _ frightening new era in europe. care of. — frightening new era in europe. care of. a _ frightening new era in europe. care of, a city of 3 million awoke _ care of, a city of 3 million awoke to _ care of, a city of 3 million awoke to sirens. it care of, a city of 3 million awoke to sirens.- awoke to sirens. it was frightening, _ awoke to sirens. it was l frightening, frightening, because _ frightening, frightening, because when _ frightening, frightening, because when we - frightening, frightening, i because when we started frightening, frightening, . because when we started to drive — because when we started to drive from _ because when we started to drive from our _ because when we started to drive from our house, - because when we started to drive from our house, we i because when we started to i drive from our house, we saw a

lot of— drive from our house, we saw a lot of broken _ drive from our house, we saw a lot of broken cars, _ drive from our house, we saw a lot of broken cars, people i drive from our house, we saw a lot of broken cars, people and. lot of broken cars, people and it was— lot of broken cars, people and it was frightening, _ lot of broken cars, people and it was frightening, yes. - lot of broken cars, people and it was frightening, yes. it i lot of broken cars, people and it was frightening, yes. it was| it was frightening, yes. it was frightening _ it was frightening, yes. it was frightening-— frightening. alexander and viktoria are _ frightening. alexander and viktoria are also _ frightening. alexander and viktoria are also a - frightening. alexander and viktoria are also a couple. | viktoria are also a couple. they were on a trip to paris when war broke out but all the family are in ukraine. == family are in ukraine. -- oleksander. _ family are in ukraine. -- oleksander. i'm - family are in ukraine. -- oleksander. i'm in i family are in ukraine. —— oleksander. i'm in paris but my sister— oleksander. i'm in paris but my sister and — oleksander. i'm in paris but my sister and family are oleksander. i'm in paris but my sisterand family are in oleksander. i'm in paris but my sister and family are in kyiv, and — sister and family are in kyiv, and there _ sister and family are in kyiv, and there is bombing, news about— and there is bombing, news about tanks nearby. i mean — it wasn't — about tanks nearby. i mean — it wasn't the _ about tanks nearby. i mean — it wasn't the best experience in my life — wasn't the best experience in my life. so wasn't the best experience in m life. ,, wasn't the best experience in m life. ., ., my life. so you went away for the weekend _ my life. so you went away for the weekend to _ my life. so you went away for the weekend to paris? - my life. so you went away for the weekend to paris? yes, l the weekend to paris? yes, basically- — the weekend to paris? yes, basically. and _ the weekend to paris? yes, basically. and never - the weekend to paris? yes, i basically. and never returned yet~ — basically. and never returned et. , ~ ., , basically. and never returned et. , , yet. yes. so... around kyiv was

russian occupation _ yet. yes. so... around kyiv was russian occupation and - yet. yes. so... around kyiv was russian occupation and we i yet. yes. so... around kyiv was| russian occupation and we were very scared and it is the thing when we play games, like video chat with my son, and he is sitting in the basement and i am sitting in paris. it was very... ifeel myself am sitting in paris. it was very... i feel myself helpless. very helpless. but now we are together. i very helpless. but now we are touether. . , ., very helpless. but now we are together-— together. i am playing one of the two husbands _ together. i am playing one of the two husbands of- together. i am playing one of the two husbands of maria. l together. i am playing one of the two husbands of maria. i | the two husbands of maria. i work— the two husbands of maria. i work out _ the two husbands of maria. i work out because my brother called — work out because my brother called me and said you need to run away— called me and said you need to run away because they are bombing, everything started, they— bombing, everything started, they are _ bombing, everything started, they are bombing military bases, _ they are bombing military bases, and just in 50m from a

window— bases, and just in 50m from a window is _ bases, and just in 50m from a window is the territory of military— window is the territory of military bases. so we decided to go— military bases. so we decided to go somewhere and after that we left — to go somewhere and after that we left to — to go somewhere and after that we left to the west of ukraine and after _ we left to the west of ukraine and after that abroad. | we left to the west of ukraine and after that abroad.- and after that abroad. i am olena and _ and after that abroad. i am olena and i _ and after that abroad. i am olena and i play _ and after that abroad. i am olena and i play the - and after that abroad. i am i olena and i play the daughter of maria. we did our last performance in student theatre on the 23 february and then we got home to our student's campus, then went back to sleep then i remember at 5am my friends were running around the room, picking up close and everything. —— students' campus. and i was like "what are you doing? " and they said it started. that the war had

started. , , . , it started. that the war had started. ,, . , , ., started. russia is accused of killin: started. russia is accused of killing hundreds _ started. russia is accused of killing hundreds of— started. russia is accused of killing hundreds of civilians i killing hundreds of civilians in the _ killing hundreds of civilians in the ukrainian city of kharkiv _ in the ukrainian city of kharkiv._ in the ukrainian city of kharkiv. . ., ., ., kharkiv. olena had one of the most difficult _ kharkiv. olena had one of the most difficult escapes, - kharkiv. olena had one of the | most difficult escapes, trapped in kharkiv and worried about herfamily. 50 in kharkiv and worried about her family-— her family. so i have been there for— her family. so i have been there for like _ her family. so i have been there for like three - her family. so i have been| there for like three weeks, her family. so i have been l there for like three weeks, i guess. in the metro station. then we tried to escape from kharkiv to my sister's husband's family, so we escaped, and i remember we spent two or three nights on different railway stations without food, without water, without food, without water, without phones, and i remember my mum got in touch with me, like, every two weeks, and it was like the most hardest time, because you don't have access

to talk to your family, you don't know are they still alive. at the hardest thing was my father, because he is a soldier. �* , ., , , ., soldier. yurii's “ob is to get the play h soldier. yurii's “ob is to get the play from _ soldier. yurii's job is to get the play from the - soldier. yurii's job is to get| the play from the rehearsal room and onto the stage in just four weeks. room and onto the stage in 'ust four weeksfi four weeks. maria is the story of a woman — four weeks. maria is the story of a woman and _ four weeks. maria is the story of a woman and her— four weeks. maria is the story of a woman and her life i four weeks. maria is the story of a woman and her life was l of a woman and her life was like 72 years. this story from the birth to the death and how russian occupants breaker life, break ukraine. and this story will be about the hardest page of our history. the holodomor. —— break her life. the holodomor, literally translated

as "to kill by hunger" in was as "to kill by hunger" in was as soviet engineered famine of the 1930s. in the lotus glen producer in the soviet union, ukraine was subject to higher green quotas, leading to fewer crops for ukrainians, and causing mass starvation of the population. while estimates vary, academics put the death toll at a vary, academics put the death toll ata minimum vary, academics put the death toll at a minimum of 3.5 million people. why style and enforce the policy is a matter of contention. to sum it was merely a consequence of the soviet union. —— stalin enforced. others day that stalin, fearing cultural separation from moscow engineered the famine. here my confession- _

engineered the famine. here my confession. forgive _ engineered the famine. here my confession. forgive me... i engineered the famine. here my confession. forgive me... da, i confession. forgive me... da, da. the play will be performed in english, making learning lines a challenge for some of the cars. the main work is to teach yourself speaking english. with no problem, to learn the lines correctly. i would like to learn my text more. _ would like to learn my text more. to _ would like to learn my text more, to be more confident and i more, to be more confident and iwouid — more, to be more confident and i would like to create whole whole — i would like to create whole whole person.— i would like to create whole whole person. the thing i need to learn to _ whole person. the thing i need to learn to play _ whole person. the thing i need to learn to play on _ whole person. the thing i need to learn to play on the - whole person. the thing i need to learn to play on the flute, i to learn to play on the flute, it is — to learn to play on the flute, it is kind _ to learn to play on the flute, it is kind of _ to learn to play on the flute, it is kind of the _ to learn to play on the flute, it is kind of the ukrainian i it is kind of the ukrainian national— it is kind of the ukrainian national instrument, i it is kind of the ukrainian national instrument, but| it is kind of the ukrainian. national instrument, but it it is kind of the ukrainian i national instrument, but it is quite — national instrument, but it is quite difficult. _ national instrument, but it is quite difficult. but— national instrument, but it is quite difficult. but we - national instrument, but it is quite difficult. but we have i quite difficult. but we have oleksander, _ quite difficult. but we have oleksander, and _ quite difficult. but we have oleksander, and he - quite difficult. but we have oleksander, and he is- quite difficult. but we have oleksander, and he is a i quite difficult. but we have i oleksander, and he is a great musician— oleksander, and he is a great musician and _ oleksander, and he is a great musician and he _ oleksander, and he is a great musician and he will- oleksander, and he is a great musician and he will teach i oleksander, and he is a great. musician and he will teach me, he is _ musician and he will teach me, he is my— musician and he will teach me, he is my master. _ musician and he will teach me, he is my master.— he is my master. together all their lives. _ he is my master. together all their lives. today _ he is my master. together all their lives. today i _ he is my master. together all their lives. today i just i he is my master. together all their lives. today i just got i their lives. today ijust got acquainted with my new partner

and i have a lot of new lines. that's why we need to work, sorry. it that's why we need to work, sor . , , . that's why we need to work, soi’ , , , ., ., " sorry. it is the start of week two and _ sorry. it is the start of week two and the _ sorry. it is the start of week two and the theatre - sorry. it is the start of week two and the theatre is i sorry. it is the start of week i two and the theatre is changing all of its signage into ukrainian ahead of the start of liverpool's eurovision festival.— festival. the first big audience _ festival. the first big audience that - festival. the first big audience that we i festival. the first big l audience that we want festival. the first big i audience that we want to festival. the first big - audience that we want to bring into the theatre space is, of course, the uk and liverpool audiences, because the story is being told, particularly the story of maria, it is one that we would never have learnt. but there is also a really important need to get ukrainian creatives who have arrived in the uk and so hopefullyjust this little touch for when they arrive and you will see around the building makes them feel instantly that it is a place for them and notjust as guests for them and notjust as guests for one week but for the long—term as well. for one week but for the long-term as well.- for one week but for the long-term as well. and as

rehearsals _ long-term as well. and as rehearsals intensify, i long-term as well. and as| rehearsals intensify, there long-term as well. and as i rehearsals intensify, there is a new customer the company. it will be good, a good experience for me, because it will be the first time when i will act in english. it is a good opportunity to tell english people, british people in their language about us, about our culture, about ukraine. he was in london _ culture, about ukraine. he was in london and _ culture, about ukraine. he was in london and now— culture, about ukraine. he was in london and now we - culture, about ukraine. he was in london and now we are i culture, about ukraine. he was in london and now we are a i culture, about ukraine. he was| in london and now we are a full team _ in london and now we are a full team it — in london and now we are a full team it is _ in london and now we are a full team. it is important to have all actors _ team. it is important to have all actors in our rehearsals. vadym _ all actors in our rehearsals. vadym isn't the only change in the rehearsal ring. in the last week, hoards of costumes and props have arrived from ukraine. their significance is explained by lavrentii. it is a man's shirt _ explained by lavrentii. it is a man's shirt and _ explained by lavrentii. it is a

man's shirt and traditional. man's shirt and traditional colours, black and red. ladies, girls, they have a lot of things like this. and sometimes you can see a lot of different symbols and each symbol has their own meaning. and we have here some icons, so orthodox symbols of maria, and jesus christ, so the pair of them, it was traditional in every ukrainian home. there is a small scene about how communist governments came and they take — they took it. it was a real story and they took things like this and just destroyed them,

mostly. i can show you one more crazy thing, it is this piece of history. but our custom designer, yulia, she found it. it is a crazy thing. this is an old ussr flag.— it is a crazy thing. this is an old ussr flag. the props and costumes _ old ussr flag. the props and costumes are _ old ussr flag. the props and costumes are helping - old ussr flag. the props and costumes are helping them l costumes are helping them embody their characters. irate embody their characters. we have our— embody their characters. - have our costumes. embody their characters. we have our costumes. yes. i embody their characters. we | have our costumes. yes. and started to — have our costumes. yes. and started to practise _ have our costumes. yes. and started to practise and i started to practise and rehearse in costumes, with stuff. ., ' stuff. you will feel different because you _ stuff. you will feel different because you have _ stuff. you will feel different because you have got i stuff. you will feel different because you have got - i stuff. you will feel different because you have got - youj stuff. you will feel different i because you have got - you can because you have got — you can touch _ because you have got — you can touch their— because you have got — you can touch their history. it is really— touch their history. it is really old, old costumes, old shirts, — really old, old costumes, old shirts, it— really old, old costumes, old shirts, it was really... find really old, old costumes, old shirts, it was really. . .- shirts, it was really... and a lot of ukrainian _ shirts, it was really... and a lot of ukrainian staff. i shirts, it was really... and a lot of ukrainian staff. -- i lot of ukrainian staff. —— stuff. lot of ukrainian staff. -- stuff. ~ ,, ~ ,,

stuff. music plays. yurii, shorena. _ stuff. music plays. yurii, shorena, and _ stuff. music plays. yurii, shorena, and daughter i stuff. music plays. yurii, | shorena, and daughter have lived with a host family in derbyshire since arriving last. keep more busy, town, you always need to run somewhere, do something very fast, by coffee and run, run. here it is more quiet. but every day we are remembering everything and talking about ukraine, talking about our friends, and talking about ukraine, talking about ourfriends, and every day we check the news because it is an important part of our life in this moment. irate it is an important part of our life in this moment.- it is an important part of our life in this moment. we had a ha - life in this moment. we had a happy life. — life in this moment. we had a happy life. all— life in this moment. we had a happy life, all ukrainians i happy life, all ukrainians before _ happy life, all ukrainians before the or had a happy life. none — before the or had a happy life. none of— before the or had a happy life. none of us, amen ukrainians, wanted — none of us, amen ukrainians, wanted to— none of us, amen ukrainians, wanted to be here. none of us

wanted — wanted to be here. none of us wanted to— wanted to be here. none of us wanted to learn a new language, a foreign — wanted to learn a new language, a foreign school for their children, and started looking for a — children, and started looking for a joh _ children, and started looking forajob. it's children, and started looking for a job. it's like a big experience and big... big stress. big _ experience and big... big stress. big stress - experience and big... big stress. big stress for i experience and big... big stress. big stress for all. stress. big stress for all ukrainians. _ stress. big stress for all ukrainians. as - stress. big stress for all ukrainians. as they i stress. big stress for all ukrainians. as they get| stress. big stress for all - ukrainians. as they get ready to leave for _ ukrainians. as they get ready to leave for the _ ukrainians. as they get ready to leave for the theatre - ukrainians. as they get ready to leave for the theatre we i to leave for the theatre we spoke to their hosts, helen and chris. ~ , chris. when we first saw the message — chris. when we first saw the message from _ chris. when we first saw the message from shorena - chris. when we first saw the message from shorena it. chris. when we first saw the | message from shorena it was "and i have a partner." 0k, we can do that, that's great. and they have a daughter. 0k. find they have a daughter. 0k. and we have a _ they have a daughter. 0k. and we have a dog! _ they have a daughter. 0k. and we have a dog! once _ they have a daughter. 0k. and we have a dog! once we - they have a daughter. ok. and we have a dog! once we met l we have a dog! once we met them, we have a dog! once we met them. just — we have a dog! once we met them, just tell _ we have a dog! once we met them, just tell them - them, just tell them straightaway. there was an instant bond.— straightaway. there was an instant bond. and i think the important — instant bond. and i think the important thing _ instant bond. and i think the important thing also - instant bond. and i think the important thing also is - instant bond. and i think the important thing also is when i important thing also is when you. — important thing also is when you. once _ important thing also is when you, once we look to their background in ukraine we

realised these guys had an amazing career, which was completely cut short which we had no — completely cut short which we had no idea about as professional actors, had no idea about as professionalactors, so had no idea about as professional actors, so we said to them, — professional actors, so we said to them, we want to support you with that, _ to them, we want to support you with that, to actually get work as actors, _ with that, to actually get work as actors, and something meaningful. so it's been amazing. meaningful. so it's been amazing-— meaningful. so it's been amazing. they have been proactive _ amazing. they have been proactive. they _ amazing. they have been proactive. they have - amazing. they have been proactive. they have not| amazing. they have been i proactive. they have not sat down for one second. they have never felt sorry for themselves. they have just got on with it and there worked extremely hard.— on with it and there worked extremely hard. every day the coule extremely hard. every day the couale to _ extremely hard. every day the couale to the _ extremely hard. every day the couple to the three _ extremely hard. every day the couple to the three hour- extremely hard. every day the| couple to the three hour round trip from derbyshire to liverpool.— trip from derbyshire to liverpool. yeah, it is not eas , liverpool. yeah, it is not easy. but _ liverpool. yeah, it is not easy. but it _ liverpool. yeah, it is not easy, but it is _ liverpool. yeah, it is not easy, but it is ok, - liverpool. yeah, it is not i easy, but it is ok, because liverpool. yeah, it is not - easy, but it is ok, because we love it. ~ . ~ easy, but it is ok, because we love it. ~ ., ~ ., ., love it. with a week to go until opening _ love it. with a week to go until opening night, - love it. with a week to go until opening night, the l love it. with a week to go - until opening night, the actors are now mostly without prescription and connecting to the scenes in a more visceral way. but for some it can feel

like art is imitating life. it's a hard materialfor us, for all of us, because when we are in rehearsal it's really emotional, it's in here and eye evenjust go backstage emotional, it's in here and eye even just go backstage and sometimesjust cry, because they are just here. we have a couple of scenes when my dad, seeing that, goes to the wall, and it is the same feeling. i do find it hard because i'm worrying about my family like

every minute. why worry about my father, my mother, my sisters. and it'sjust really hard. sisters. and it's 'ust really hard. �* �* , sisters. and it's 'ust really hard. �* v a' sisters. and it's 'ust really hard. �*, ., ., ., hard. and it's taking a toll on almost everybody, _ hard. and it's taking a toll on almost everybody, including | hard. and it's taking a toll on i almost everybody, including the newest cast member, vadim. it’s newest cast member, vadim. it's difficult to _ newest cast member, vadim. it�*s difficult to be here and enjoy the life 100%. it's impossible, because our parents, our friends are still in ukraine. they even have one line "we are going _ they even have one line "we are going to — they even have one line "we are going to live through this, one way or— going to live through this, one way or another." and they keep repeating — way or another." and they keep repeating it every day. the cast of maria _ repeating it every day. the cast of maria are _ repeating it every day. the cast of maria are just i repeating it every day. tue: cast of maria are just hours away from debuting their play,

their culture, their stories to audiences here in liverpool. and after escaping the ravages of war for a new life and after escaping the ravages of warfor a new life here in uk this is the first time many of them have performed professionally since exiting the stages and the films that of ukraine.— of ukraine. suttor has left. cemetery _ of ukraine. suttor has left. cemetery maxine, - of ukraine. suttor has left. cemetery maxine, sasha . of ukraine. suttor has left. i cemetery maxine, sasha has left. ~ ., , ,, left. we will have first dress rehearsal — left. we will have first dress rehearsal in _ left. we will have first dress rehearsal in a _ left. we will have first dress rehearsal in a few— left. we will have first dress rehearsal in a few minutes. | left. we will have first dress i rehearsal in a few minutes. and it's a _ rehearsal in a few minutes. and it's a really— rehearsal in a few minutes. and it's a really important moment for us, — it's a really important moment for us, because today we will have — for us, because today we will have an — for us, because today we will have an audience and we have to be ready— have an audience and we have to be ready for the premier and that's— be ready for the premier and that's why she is worried about it, because this is the first time — it, because this is the first time when we have to try everything. so it is important. we have — everything. so it is important. we have final rehearsal today afternoon _ we have final rehearsal today afternoon and _ we have final rehearsal today afternoon and after _ we have final rehearsal today afternoon and after that i we have final rehearsal today afternoon and after that our. afternoon and after that our opening _ afternoon and after that our opening night—

afternoon and after that our opening night already, i afternoon and after that our opening night already, it's i opening night already, it's sold — opening night already, it's sold out— opening night already, it's sold out today _ opening night already, it's sold out today and - opening night already, it's i sold out today and tomorrow. opening night already, it's - sold out today and tomorrow. we so, sold out today and tomorrow. so, nervous and excited and it's a lot of feelings inside. i've waited for this feeling for so _ i've waited for this feeling for so long. 335 i've waited for this feeling for so long-— for so long. as is the first time you _ for so long. as is the first time you have _ for so long. as is the first time you have been i for so long. as is the first time you have been on i for so long. as is the first| time you have been on the stage? time you have been on the stare? ., , ., , . stage? yeah, yeah, since february- _ stage? yeah, yeah, since february. so _ stage? yeah, yeah, since february. so it's - stage? yeah, yeah, since february. so it's one i stage? yeah, yeah, since february. so it's one and| stage? yeah, yeah, since| february. so it's one and a half— february. so it's one and a half years— february. so it's one and a half years almost.- february. so it's one and a half years almost. with the dress rehearsal _ half years almost. with the dress rehearsal and - half years almost. with the dress rehearsal and take i half years almost. with the i dress rehearsal and take checks completed the actors are making the final preparations before curtains up. b. the final preparations before curtains up— the final preparations before curtains up. a programme in ukrainian- — curtains up. a programme in ukrainian. and _ curtains up. a programme in ukrainian. and in _ curtains up. a programme in ukrainian. and in english. i ukrainian. and in english. music plays.

music plays. speaks ukrainian. how did the fire _ music plays. speaks ukrainian. how did the fire start? _ music plays. speaks ukrainian. how did the fire start? it _ music plays. speaks ukrainian. how did the fire start? it is - how did the fire start? it is the interval _ how did the fire start? it is the interval and _ how did the fire start? it is the interval and the - how did the fire start? it is the interval and the cast i how did the fire start? tit 3 the interval and the cast is energised. it the interval and the cast is energised-— the interval and the cast is energised. it is good energy between the _ energised. it is good energy between the audience i energised. it is good energy between the audience and l energised. it is good energy i between the audience and act as. . , between the audience and act as, ., , between the audience and act as. ., , ,., , ., between the audience and act as. ~ ., as. there was so, you know, something — as. there was so, you know, something like _ as. there was so, you know, something like this, - as. there was so, you know, something like this, yeah, . as. there was so, you know, something like this, yeah, i| something like this, yeah, i can't — something like this, yeah, i can't believe it's happening like — can't believe it's happening like right now. it's the show aiready~ _ like right now. it's the show alread . ~' like right now. it's the show alread . ~ ., already. do you think you are caettin already. do you think you are getting a _ already. do you think you are getting a good _ already. do you think you are getting a good response i already. do you think you are | getting a good response from the audience?— the audience? yeah, yeah, definitely. _ the audience? yeah, yeah, definitely. and _ the audience? yeah, yeah, definitely. and we - the audience? yeah, yeah, definitely. and we are i the audience? yeah, yeah, i definitely. and we are feeling the ukrainian people. i think

they— the ukrainian people. i think they understand some humour or something. yeah. music plays. no-one has to remain silent _ music plays. no-one has to remain silent any _ music plays. no-one has to remain silent any longer. i applause for the audience, which included lots of local ukrainians, it was a poignant evening. it ukrainians, it was a poignant evenina. ., , , ukrainians, it was a poignant evenina. .,, , evening. it was very powerful and at the — evening. it was very powerful and at the same _ evening. it was very powerful and at the same time - evening. it was very powerful and at the same time it i evening. it was very powerful and at the same time it was i and at the same time it was very touching, because, for my opinion, holodomor is one of

the most terrible parts of ukrainian history.- the most terrible parts of ukrainian history. when i found out we could — ukrainian history. when i found out we could get _ ukrainian history. when i found out we could get tickets - ukrainian history. when i found out we could get tickets to i ukrainian history. when i found out we could get tickets to it i out we could get tickets to it was — out we could get tickets to it was at — out we could get tickets to it was at what it was all about and — was at what it was all about and i— was at what it was all about and i couldn't believe that i had — and i couldn't believe that i had never heard of this atrocity. and i thought it was tremendous. they thought it was really— tremendous. they thought it was really moving. i thought it was incredibly— really moving. i thought it was incredibly dramatic. | really moving. i thought it was incredibly dramatic.— incredibly dramatic. i think it is very important _ incredibly dramatic. i think it is very important to - incredibly dramatic. i think it is very important to say i incredibly dramatic. i think it | is very important to say about it, is very important to say about it. what — is very important to say about it, what happened _ is very important to say about it, what happened about- is very important to say about it, what happened about and| it, what happened about and during — it, what happened about and during all— it, what happened about and during all of— it, what happened about and during all of our— it, what happened about and during all of our life - it, what happened about and during all of our life to - it, what happened about and during all of our life to have i during all of our life to have these — during all of our life to have these strange _ during all of our life to have these strange neighbours. during all of our life to have i these strange neighbours like this country. _ these strange neighbours like this country, so _ these strange neighbours like this country, so this - these strange neighbours like this country, so this play, i these strange neighbours like this country, so this play, for| this country, so this play, for me. — this country, so this play, for me. it's _ this country, so this play, for me, it's about _ this country, so this play, for me, it's about history. - me, it's about history. for— me, it's about history. for all— me, it's about history. for all of— me, it's about history. for all of us— me, it's about history. for all of us to - me, it's about history. for all of us to be i me, it's about history. | for all of us to be back me, it's about history. i for all of us to be back on me, it's about history. - for all of us to be back on the stage, it's amazing, it really is. just this special energy, you are changing with the audience.— audience. and i think our purpose. _ audience. and i think our purpose, that _ audience. and i think our purpose, that all- audience. and i think our. purpose, that all countries will —

purpose, that all countries will recognise this holodomor like genocide. it will recognise this holodomor like genocide.— like genocide. it is our grand grandparents, _ like genocide. it is our grand grandparents, our— like genocide. it is our grand grandparents, our relatives l like genocide. it is our grand i grandparents, our relatives for all of— grandparents, our relatives for all of us — grandparents, our relatives for all of us and _ grandparents, our relatives for all of us. and we _ grandparents, our relatives for all of us. and we lost - grandparents, our relatives for all of us. and we lost a - grandparents, our relatives for all of us. and we lost a lot i grandparents, our relatives for all of us. and we lost a lot of. all of us. and we lost a lot of things— all of us. and we lost a lot of things from _ all of us. and we lost a lot of things from our— all of us. and we lost a lot of things from our culture. it’s. things from our culture. it's been an _ things from our culture. it's been an intense _ things from our culture. been an intense five things from our culture.- been an intense five weeks for this company of performers iuggung this company of performers juggling jobs as well as rehearsals and travelling great distances to do both. the steadfast commitment to their craft, be acting or directing, stands as a beacon to the of artistry and creativity. so it's remarkable than that a group of refugees navigating a new land can be brought together to tell their new neighbours powerful stories of hope. applause

hello there. we had big contrasts in weather on friday. west was best in terms of sunshine, so blue skies like these were pretty widespread. and in cardiff we had the warmest weather in the uk with temperatures reaching 20 degrees. but east scotland and most of england were stuck under this area of cloud, a blanket of cloud, if you like. not that it was much of a blanket around the north york moors in fylingdales, temperatures only got to eight degrees. and with the northeaster, i'm sure that felt more like wintertime. now where we did see those temperatures struggle across eastern areas, eventually over the weekend, we should see some sunshine break out and that will lift temperatures quite widely into the high teens to low 20s. so, eventually it will get warmer. before we get there, though, we have this pesky low cloud with us again. most of england, east wales, eastern areas of scotland thick enough for an odd spit of rain. and these are the kind of temperatures, perhaps, if you're up early in the day.

now, high pressure is in charge of the weather on saturday. so, we are looking at dry weather conditions. the best of the early morning sunshine is likely to be across west scotland, northern ireland, wales and western england. cloudy elsewhere, but that cloud will get munched away by the may sunshine. eventually, there could be one or two areas that keep the cloud across eastern areas of england, around the east coast. same for eastern scotland. but for the majority it's dry, it's sunny and it's getting warmer. temperatures high teens to low 20s, perhaps reaching 22 in northern ireland. if that happens, it would be the warmest day of the year so far, not that 22 is that impressive. by this stage of the year, more often than not, we've already had warm spells with temperatures into the mid to even high 20s. so, 22 this stage of may. bah! now the second half of the weekend, we do have a cold front that's going to be dropping rain and dropping the temperatures across northwestern areas. so a cooler day for scotland and northern ireland with rain here. and the rain eventually will reach northwest england and across wales as well. to the east of that, well, i can't rule out an odd shower, but there will be hazy spells of sunshine and it could stay quite warm with temperatures again, high teens to low 20s. cooler, though, in the northwest. that's our weather

this weekend. but i want to tell you about a serious cyclone that's heading towards the bangladesh/myanmar border region. this is home to many hundreds of thousands of rohingya refugees. and the weather looks horrendous, damaging winds, huge falls of rain and a storm surge. this could have potentially devastating impacts.

live from washington, this is bbc news. the first day of a new era at the us—mexico border. as title 42 expires, we have reports from our correspondents in both countries, with coverage from the ground in el paso. with new immigration rules in place, communities along the borderface an uncertain future. we ask current and former us officials whether the new system will hold. and crossing jungles and riding freight trains, one family's weeks—long journey to the border in search of a better life.

hello.