Pagans

Synopsis

A large southern seaside city

Marina and Oleg struggle to maintain a semblance of normalcy in their home as they navigate the disruptive presence of Natalya Stepanovna, Oleg’s devoutly religious mother. Their daughter Kristina is caught between rebellion and redemption, her actions a cry for help in a household overwhelmed by disrepair and discord. Bosun, the eccentric neighbor, is roped into the chaos, his unfinished work a constant reminder of the family’s unraveling. The arrival of Father Vladimir, a priest with his own hidden motives, further complicates the delicate balance, forcing each character to confront their beliefs and betrayals. As secrets surface and tensions rise, the family is pushed to their breaking point, revealing the true cost of their spiritual and emotional battles.

The play is a gripping exploration of faith, family conflict, spirituality, and generational trauma. The tone oscillates between dark humour and poignant drama, with a narrative that interweaves the mundane with the profound. Through sharp dialogue and raw, vivid scenes, Yablonskaya exposes the fragility of human connections and the desperate search for meaning in a fractured world. The play’s episodic structure and intense character interactions create a powerful tale of hope and despair, capturing the essence of a family at the edge of collapse.