A trip to the panto with The Ukrainian British Friendship Group
2023 November 28Our Head of Participation, Rebecca Winwood sat down with Natalia Mirkun, the leader of the Ukrainian British Friendship Group to talk about the group’s first trip to the pantomime last year as part of our Christmas Heroes appeal.
Christmas Heroes raises money to bring the magic of Pantomime to children and their families in our community, who otherwise may not be able to visit us. For every £19 we raise, we can bring one person to see our festive family Pantomime, Cinderella, with a VIP ticket, a programme, and an ice cream.
Tell us about yourself
Hello! I hope you are all very well. My name is Natalia Mirkun. I am an international dancer, singer and actress. I have been to more than 50 countries with shows I was in. Before the war in Ukraine I had 12 different roles in movies. I am now a student in college and the leader of the Ukrainian British Friendship Group.
For those who don’t know, can you tell us a bit about the Ukrainian British Friendship Group?
I adore this group. This group is our family. We are so far away from home so it is nice that we have each other. Everyone is new to this country and you can feel like strangers but this group gives Ukrainian children and adults a chance to feel that they are not alone. Children make friends who understand them and it is so important. Some members of our group felt isolated and suffered with depression. This group has really helped them. We meet at the theatre every Saturday from 12-5pm and do a variety of activities including IT lessons, dance, singing and dance sessions. These sessions give them fun, joy and happiness. It gives them the freedom to be themselves. Adults also take part, meeting others and helping their mental health. We also hold events and festivals to perform and share our culture with others. It is important for Ukrainian children to remember their culture but also to share with our British friends, learning new things. It makes us feel together, that we are one. Together it feels like we can make the world better.
Last December your group came to see our pantomime, Jack & The Beanstalk, as part of the Christmas Heroes appeal. What was that experience like?
It was amazing. Fantastic. Brilliant. It was my first pantomime in my life and the first for our children as well. It was so funny and warm, like in a fairy tale. It brought parents so much joy to see our children laughing. The war has taken away their childhood and things like this help to bring it back. It brought childhood fun to the parents too. Thank you so much Rebecca, and thank you to the theatre for this happiness.
Did you get a chance to meet the cast?
Yes! It was arranged so that we could meet all the characters before the show. They taught us some things about the show. The children were so excited to see them. Everyone wanted a photo with them and to touch them. It was a big surprise.
What did the children think of the pantomime?
They loved it! They always ask me if we will go again and when I said yes, they can’t wait. My daughter counts the days till the pantomime because she doesn’t want to miss the date. They were laughing through the whole thing. They were so happy.
Why should people donate to Christmas Heroes?
Christmas is a special time. Everyone wants to give some warmth and miracles to people. Unfortunately not everyone can buy the tickets and that’s why these donations can help children experience the magic of Christmas. To feel this joy together is so wonderful and important. Maybe seeing shows at the theatre can light the fire inside children’s souls and they will one day be amazing actresses or be involved in other arts. We don’t know. We can’t know. But if we can make our children happier then why don’t we do it. That’s why these donations are so important.
Double the impact of your donation
This year for the very first time we are taking part in The Big Give Christmas Challenge, the UK's biggest match funding campaign!
For one week only from now until noon on Tuesday 5 December, your donation to our Christmas Heroes appeal can have twice the impact.
Every donation made to our appeal via our Big Give page will be doubled, up to £2,000. This means that for every £1 you give, we will receive £2 towards our Christmas Heroes appeal.
