What does a Stanislavski-method trained Ukrainian actress, and a perpetually single Metis playwright have in common? If you said, ‘not a lot!’, think again. Sometimes worlds collide, and opposites attract. The First Metis Man of Odesa chronicles the adventure of a Ukrainian woman from Odesa, Masha (Mariya Khomutova) and a Metis man from Edmonton, Matt (Matthew MacKenzie). Although at the beginning the two seem to have almost nothing in common, they are drawn to each other, and slowly but surely their lives become intertwined.

The First Metis Man of Odesa was originally produced by Punctuate! Theatre based out of Edmonton, Alberta, and was written by and about Matthew and Mariya, who both star as themselves. Matthew starts out the play with a disclaimer: “I am not an actor. In this play, I am forced to act as myself.” This disclaimer, however, proves unnecessary – Matthew delivers his lines with the prowess of a trained actor, with perfect comedic timing as well as the ability to deliver the more tragic lines with great sorrow. Both Matthew and Mariya captivate with their acting – creating perfect synchronicity and dissonance with their bodies and voices. There are very few props, set pieces, and costumes, and most of the things they interact with are mimed – including their baby, Ivan. However, the actors do so with such carefulness that it is easy to forget that the objects aren’t actually there.

Despite being minimalistic, the set used in this production is an element that really stands out. Designed by Dawn Marie Marchand, it appears at first to be relatively ordinary – a pillar and windows making up the background, and two chairs in front – however, it is utilized beautifully. When Matt and Masha learn of the first bombs dropped on Ukraine, with a loud bang the set is torn to pieces – windows lopsided, pillars askew, curtains fallen to the floor. The chaos occurring in their life is mirrored in the sudden chaos occurring on screen.

Matthew and Mariya face hardship upon hardship throughout the course of their relationship – from online dating worlds apart, to COVID, to pregnancy, marriage, and childcare, to mother-in-laws, to war. Throughout the play, and in real life, Matthew has a certain way of dealing with any problems that arise – writing about it. When tragedy and fear strike in their lives, every single time, he writes about it. The First Metis Man of Odesa is the result of all this writing. On the surface, that’s what this play is about: the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys, of his and Mariya’s lives. However, this play also shares a typically unheard perspective of the war in Ukraine: that of a Ukrainian that has already immigrated, but who has all their family and friends left behind. This play also provides an Indigenous view of life through Matthew’s lens – such as when he goes to a sweat lounge during a difficult time in order to pull himself together. These unrelated but interconnected stories are so important to tell, as they are just as important as the stories that make headlines.

The story of Matthew, Masha, and Ivan’s adventures in love, life, and relationships brings you to the brink of tears, and then has you splitting your sides from laughter. Their adventure through life is one that is completely individual and exclusive to them, and simultaneously contains things that everyone can relate to. The First Metis Man of Odesa will leave you feeling connected with your fellow humans, as well as leave you more aware that everyone around you has their own story to tell.