A Ukrainian theatre company has been granted special permission to leave the war zone and perform at York International Shakespeare Festival 2023 beginning April 21.
The biennial York International Shakespeare Festival features world and UK premières, storytelling in schools and libraries, book launches, seminars, lectures and exhibitions.
A number of festival events are hosted by York St John University, with a highlight being a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by the Kyiv National Academic Molodyy Theatre from Ukraine.
Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 are currently prohibited from leaving the country, so this extraordinary trip meant the 10-strong theatre team needing exit permits as well as visas to travel.