Live in Kyiv: Comedy from a War Zone

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BBC Radio 4 - Live in Kyiv: Comedy from a War Zone

Ukrainian comedian Anton Tymoshenko explains what he's learned about comedy through war.

How does war affect comedy? Ukrainian comedian Anton Tymoshenko explores how his job has changed since his country was invaded.

In April 2022, two months after his country had been invaded by Russia, with the death toll standing at around 2,500 soldiers and 2,000 civilians, Ukrainian comedian Anton Tymoschenko did what any self-respecting comedian would do - he got on stage in Kyiv and told jokes about the war.

The video of this set - his first in English - went viral, with comedians such as Dara Ó Briain praising its bravery and quality. Anton joked about the effect of the war on Kyiv house prices, his "colleague" Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Russian war crimes. Even the subtitles apologised for their haste - "I was trying not to die". 

But how is it possible that when bullets start flying and bombs start dropping, people are still willing to tell jokes - and yet more people are willing laugh? As he toured Ukraine performing stand-up, Anton reflects on what he's learned about comedy - from the point of view of both comedians and audiences - while having to do his job under the most extreme possible conditions.

Presenter: Anton Tymoshenko

Photograph courtesy of The Ukrainians / Danylo Pavlov

Interviewee: Sami Shah
Interviewee: Uğur Üngör
Interviewee: Angie Belcher

Mixed by David Thomas.

Producer: Ed Morrish

A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4

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