Ukrainomania: A theater evening between comedy and war tragedy!

Ukrainomania: A theater evening between comedy and war tragedy!

On January 15, 2026, the premiere of the revue “Ukrainomania – Revue of a Life According to Joseph Roth” took place at the Volkstheater Vienna. The production, directed by Jan-Christoph Gockel, mixes comedy and seriousness and draws a bridge between the Jewish writer's literary legacy and the current situation in Ukraine. The audience experienced an interesting mix of theater and interactive elements. The emcee Solomiia appeared in direct contact with the audience and brought live artist Sofiia Melnyk onto the stage as a translator, while a QR code for Solomiia's Instagram was projected onto the curtain. The production focuses on the documentation of the war in Ukraine and brings Joseph Roth's diverse legacy into play.

The beginning of the performance seems rather surprising at first glance: a gravedigger, played by Samouil Stoyanov - an actor who has already won several theater awards - is digging a grave for Joseph Roth. But an argument soon breaks out between Solomiia and the gravedigger in a mixture of Ukrainian and Bulgarian. The provocations and exchanges between the two characters add momentum to the story.

A look at Joseph Roth

“Ukrainomania” is not only a play, but also a homage to Roth's journey, which he undertook in 1924 to visit his old home Brody and the city of Lemberg - now Lviv. These cities experienced constant change in the 20th century, changing their name and nationality several times. Roth's text "Ukrainomanie. Berlin's latest fashion" from 1920 is quoted in the program and takes an interesting look at the audience's perception of threatened states as a setting. One element of the performance are the interactive moments in which the audience is offered real liquor, for example, which contributes to a lively atmosphere.

The actor Bernardo Arias Porras portrays Joseph Roth as he rises from the grave and travels through Lviv. Critics have described his portrayal as overly cartoonish, although this may be part of the humorous production. Particularly noteworthy is a scene showing Roth's funeral at the Cimetière Parisien de Thiais, which is not depicted in Montmartre, as is often assumed. The play plays with the breaks between theater and reality and shows Roth's alcoholism in an entertaining way, while Solomiia and Samouil offer some comedic interludes that are considered bright spots.

Criticism and audience response

The reviews for the premiere are mixed. While some describe the execution as clumsy and embarrassing, the joy of the game shines through in the comedic performances of Solomiia and her partner. The finale, in which Solomiia remains alone on stage as the lights go out, leaves room for interpretation and provokes reflection on the themes of war and exile. The production focuses on Roth's birthplace and the discussion about the name "Szwaby", which contributes to the story and cultural roots of the writer.

The performance lasts approximately two hours and has no intermission, immersing the audience in a continuous flow of emotions and thoughts. “Ukrainomania” is an attempt to transfer the complexity of Roth's work to today and makes it clear that looking at such historical figures is important even in turbulent times. Organizers now even offer trips “in the footsteps of Joseph Roth”, although these have declined since the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine. Nevertheless, interest in the interconnections of history, culture and identity remains unbroken.

The fact that the audience is asked on such an evening, with schnapps in hand, to lighten the seriousness of the topics is a creative approach by Gockel and his team. Ultimately, it is not only important to tell the stories of the past, but also to make them tangible.