Uncle Sasha The Butcher

Synopsis

A cramped Soviet-era apartment and a bustling courtyard in 1980s Ukraine, where personal dramas unfold against a backdrop of social change

Anya, a precocious ten-year-old, navigates the complexities of family life and childhood friendships in a world teetering on the brink of massive political upheaval. As she grows into adulthood, her story intertwines with those of her brother Sanya, the enigmatic Uncle Sasha the Butcher, and a colorful cast of neighbors. From collecting cans to first loves, from family tensions to the arrival of a charismatic TV psychic, the play spans nearly two decades of tumultuous change.

Jimm’s Uncle Sasha The Butcher is a sprawling, darkly comic exploration of Soviet and post-Soviet life through the microcosm of a single apartment complex. The playwright deftly weaves together scenes of absurdist humor, poignant coming-of-age moments, and biting social commentary. As the characters grapple with personal desires and societal expectations, the play touches on themes of family, social change, and the lingering ghosts of history. The structure, moving from intimate domestic scenes to surreal interludes with historical figures, creates a richly textured portrait of a community in flux. Jimm’s use of Ukrainian cultural references and historical events grounds the fantastical elements, offering a uniquely post-Soviet perspective on the universal struggles of growing up and finding one’s place in a rapidly changing world.