The Khomenko Family Chronicles

Synopsis

A stark hospital room in Ukraine, where past and present collide through a family’s memories.

Nine-year-old Lyosha Khomenko lies in a hospital bed, his parents Lyuda and Kostya at his side. As they attempt to comfort their ill son, the family’s conversation weaves between tender moments and tense exchanges.

Vorozhbit’s dialogue crackles with dark humour and poignant revelations as the parents recount the story of their meeting, set against the backdrop of the Chernobyl disaster. Their personal history becomes intertwined with major historical events, including 9/11, highlighting the intersection of intimate family moments with world-changing incidents. The play’s structure, moving from bedside conversation to Lyosha’s fevered dream sequence, blurs the lines between reality and imagination. Through this, Vorozhbit explores themes of generational trauma, the legacy of Soviet history, and the impact of global events on personal lives.