A Forbidden Song

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BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, A Forbidden Song

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

Forbidden love, forbidden music - a love story around the Ukrainian national instrument, the bandura. By Sarah Woods, with songs by Boff Whalley, and a cast of Ukrainian performers

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, BBC Audio Drama Wales

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