We are greeted by Monica inside the theatre, she holds a tray of sparkly stemmed glasses and offers us one. Is this a party? A celebration? Her silken red slip of a cocktail dress evokes an air of elegance and quiet expectation.
Now a film of a soldier in army gear speaks to us in Ukrainian (with english super titles translating the dialogue) as it is projected on the huge back wall of the stage. This is Antonina Romanova.
Monica is now active around the space. She is occupied and we are not sure what she is doing – but she is on a mission.
This is the intriguing start to Granica / The Border, a 2024 U.S. Premiere from Poland’s Wachowicz / Fret Studio produced by the annual San Francisco International Arts Festival 2025.
The Border is a true story about Antonina Romanova, a transgendered Ukrainian performance artist. From the dialogue of Antonina on film we discover that Antonina uses the pronoun She. Sadly she had to flee to Kyiv because she was not welcomed by people in the other places she lived, but was drafted into the Ukrainian Armed Forces to fight the invading Russian army in 2023.
The Border is performed by Monika Wachowicz who has worked with the Grotowski Institute since 2021 and is directed by Jaroslav Fret, the founder and leader of Teatr ZAR, a theatre director as well as the Director of the Grotowski Institute, the renowned art institution in Wroclaw, Poland. Although an actress and playwright, Antonina Romanova chose the army as a way of life in these war torn times.
Antonina tells us about life at the front where the inhabitants have vanished – but a curiously vivid moment describing all the dogs left behind is so compelling and draws us in immediately. The brief anecdotes of these dogs seeking warmth and humanity and Antonina’s personal story of underplayed bravery and great humility takes us to a place of empathy among the challenges and inner turmoil of war.
There is more to come when Antonina’s filmed narration finishes. Monica becomes another character as she shows moments of Antonina’s life so far, expressed through gestures, symbolistic physical actions, minimal words and with well chosen objects. This allegorical piece is poignantly impactful as we are guided through an experience of expressionistic reality, quiet brutality and fragile beauty. Unexpected, meaningful and original theatre theatre based on Antonina’s story from an idea by Monika Wachowicz. Recommended!
More information and Tickets:
Date(s) & Time(s): Thu May 1; 7:00pm, Sat May 3, 6:30pm
Duration: 60 mins w/out intermission
Venue: Theatre of Yugen’s NOH Space,
Location: 2840 Mariposa St, SF, CA 94110
The SFIAF runs from April 30 to May 11, 2025 and presents 50 companies and 100 concerts and shows in this year’s festival, including theatre, music, spoken word, dance and much more!
Jo Tomalin studied with Jacques Lecoq in Paris. She completed the two year professional course at Ecole Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, Paris, France, where she also completed the Laboratoire du Mouvement (LEM) scenography, mask and movement course.
Originally from England, Jo is currently based in San Francisco, where she reviews Theatre & Dance for www.ForAllEvents.com & www.FringeReview.co.uk. She is a Professor in the School of Theatre & Dance at San Francisco State University where she teaches performance subjects and directs MainStage plays. She also works in the performing arts field as a freelance movement & voice specialist, director + actor. Jo’s play “Jessica” which she also directed was produced at the Fringe of Marin – a One Act New Play Festival in Northern California.
Jo Tomalin graduated with a degree from London University’s Laban Centre Teaching Credential program in Modern Dance, Art of Movement & Choreography; studied Classical Acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London; completed a teacher’s diploma (ATCL) in Voice and Acting from Trinity College of Dramatic Art, London; and studied classical ballet for 12 years.
Jo also holds a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Instructional Design for Online Learning from Capella University, MN, and a Master of Science degree in Educational Technology from Boise State University in the USA.
