Hooligan: In the field

Hooligan was founded in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2019 by director Peter Cant and actors Sam Kyslyi, Danylo Shramenko and Mirra Zhuchkova. They make performances that deal with overcoming fear, testing freedom and learning how to be together. Their eponymous first show is based on the true story of Sam’s teenage years as a football hooligan in eastern Ukraine, during which he fought against enemy football-supporters in brutal battles for victory and honour. Pursuing his dream of being an actor, Sam left his hooligan life behind to study at drama school in Kyiv. He never fought again.
Hooligan mixes documentary theatre with choral song, pop, punk, poetry, mime, dance and live electronics to unpick violence, youth, rebellion and gender roles in Ukraine today.

For their virtual appearance at Digital Radar Ost 2020, the performers Sam, Danya and Mirra reimagine their roles for the time and place they are now. Unable to be together, separated by fate, each actor must come to terms with his or her sudden remoteness, lack of audience and ghosts of performances that never were. What form of expression can be found now? What possibilities for rebellion remain?