SMJ 

Gramercy Theatre

### Event Description: War and Play

**Event Name:** War and Play

**Festival:** Queerly 2024

**Event Type:** Performance Art, LGBTQIA, Clowning

**Description:**
"War and Play" is an interactive, devised show that delves into human resilience amidst the harrowing backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This unique performance is brought to life through the transformative power of clowning, offering a poignant exploration of trauma, displacement, and the quest for community.

The narrative follows a queer clown couple, Vira (Ania Upstill) and Nadiya (Danielle Levsky), whose serene existence is upended by the full-scale attack on their homeland. As they escape the initial bombings and find refuge in an underground shelter, and later as refugees far from home, they struggle to rebuild their sense of community. The third clown, Mariko Iwasa, dynamically embodies various characters, including street performers, soldiers, aid workers, and separated families, to highlight the diverse faces impacted by war.

Through a blend of fanciful optimism and wrenching grief, "War and Play" utilizes clowning's unique capacity to vulnerably express universal human experiences, connecting deeply with audiences on the real trauma unfolding in Ukraine and beyond. The show explores the delicate balance between suffering and celebration, questioning how moments of friendship, music, and play can be restored after witnessing such devastation.

**Directed by:** SMJ

**Dates:** June 28-29, 2024

**Duration:** 50 minutes

**Venue:** Under St Marks, 94 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009

**Ticket Prices:** $20.00 - $25.00 (plus a $2.00 fee)

**Booking Information:**
- Tickets can be booked online.
- Availability status will be shown during the booking process.
- Options to select ticket types and seat maps are available.

**Share with Friends:** Invite your friends to experience this powerful performance.

**Additional Information:**
- The event is part of the Queerly 2024 festival.
- The venue, Under St Marks, is known for its intimate and engaging performance space.

**Contact and Further Details:**
For more information, visit the event's official page or contact the venue directly. Join the mailing list for updates and news about similar events.

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