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A Forbidden Song

A story of forbidden love and forbidden music, with songs for the Ukrainian bandura.

A love story with songs, about two young women separated by war.

2023. Valya and Masha are teenage musicians, but they have to keep their relationship a secret, because of prejudice and fear of violence. And now Valya is a refugee, living with her mother in Wales, while Masha remains in Kyiv. Sarah Woods' drama tells their story, but also the story of the bandura, the Ukrainian national instrument, suppressed at various points in history, not least under Stalin, who had bandurists persecuted and murdered.

The drama draws upon interviews with Ukrainian refugees and features new music by Boff Whalley and a cast of Ukrainian performers.

Valya....Diana Simchuk

Nataliia....Elena Sophya Gryshchenko

Masha....Aliese Chydzhan

Susi.....Eiry Thomas

The bandura is played by Sonia Savchuk

Music by Boff Whalley, with Sonia Savchuk

Drama by Sarah Woods, with Diana Simchuk, Aliese Chydzhan, Elena Sophya Gryshchenko

Sound design by Catherine Robinson and Nigel Lewis

Directed by Emma Harding, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio Drama Wales

Release date:

44 minutes

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