• 1h 57m
• Premiere 2024

One-day hero

Kherson Regional Academic Music and Drama Theater named after Mykola Kulish

One-Day Hero is a one-man confessional performance based on the real story of veteran Volodymyr Tuka. The author invites the audience on a journey through his own memories — from a mischievous childhood growing up on the streets of Kherson to the first days of the full-scale invasion. After leaving the occupied city, the protagonist joins the Armed Forces of Ukraine and eventually finds himself at the front line, "at zero."

This is the story of one person, and at the same time of every civilian who had to leave behind their familiar life and loved ones to defend their homeland. It is a reflective performance that raises questions about heroism, the freedom of choice, the fleeting nature of life, and much more.

Following a combat injury, Volodymyr returned to civilian life and joined the Veterans Theatre project, where Play22, or A Hero's Path was written. This is, quite literally, a first-hand account — the author himself plays the lead role on stage.

"When Serhii Pavliuk [the director — ed.] offered me the role, I agreed without any hesitation. Why? Because creativity helps me process my traumatic experience. I understand that, due to health issues, I won't be able to keep performing as an animator or working with the circus studio — but theatre, I love it. It's my therapy," Volodymyr shares.