• 1h 41m

Chasing Two Hares

Odesa Academic Theatre of Musical Comedy named after Mykhailo Vodianyi

A beloved Ukrainian comedy by Mykhailo Starytskyi (1840–1904), a prominent Ukrainian playwright, poet, and cultural figure, presented by the Odesa Academic Theatre of Musical Comedy named after Mykhailo Vodianyi as a vibrant two-act musical comedy. The performance features music by V. Ilin and V. Lukashov, catchy melodies, plenty of humour, colourful costumes, and energetic choreography.

At the centre of the story is the cunning adventurer Svyryd Holokhvostyi. Facing financial ruin, he comes up with a seemingly perfect plan: to marry Pronya Sirko, an unattractive but wealthy young woman, and use her family’s fortune to pay off his debts. At the same time, he begins courting Halya, a beautiful but poor girl. His attempt to “chase two hares at once” leads to a series of hilarious and revealing situations.

Written more than a century ago, Chasing Two Hares remains one of Ukraine’s best-loved comedies. Its satire is still relevant today: ignorance can hide behind a façade of sophistication, while genuine values are often replaced by status, wealth, and appearances. The result is a timeless story that combines humour, music, and a sharp look at human vanity and social ambition.