In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, we speak with the team behind SELEDKA to learn more.
What can you tell me about your show?
SELEDKA thrusts its audience in the middle of recruitment for the Russian army, led by the benevolent & gentle General Seledka (portrayed by Uliana Klimchuk). However, he may have his hands full with his new cadets. It’s a one-woman tour de force that is raw, challenging, & bright.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
Sometimes interactive, but always political satire.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
Spending four years in drama school surrounded by Americans and realizing, my classmates, people who love me and have known me for 4 years, don’t know anything about my home, about war and about the beautiful people of Ukraine.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
In this year of incredible technological advances, in the modern world where we have the internet and the ability to hear news as quickly as it happens, we’ve let Ukraine be a human shield for Europe. Soon the war will be as long as World War II and no one talks about it because people are tired of pain.
However, people in Ukraine don't have a choice to turn off the news. They’re experiencing every shelling, every blackout, every loss and grief themselves as the world watches.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
Hopefully sleep, and find time to be in the quiet with a book, although that seems highly implausible.
If you couldn’t use a flyer to attract audiences, what ridiculous object would you hand out to people to get them into your show?
A sunflower!
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without this month?
Ulia: Friends.
Lily: Ulia took the best answer for sure. Hmm. Other than our projector, I would say I wouldn’t be able to survive the month without a little off-the-clock exploring!
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Knowing that people really heard the story of Ukrainian people and know where my country is on the map.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
00:45:00 is the show that we would encourage everyone to go see! It is a dark exploration of morality, ethics, and the human condition that forces five participants in a scientific experiment to chose which of them will live or die in less than 45 minutes. The company of 00:45:00 are all our classmates from University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Both of our plays received support, in part, from the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts to further develop and present our work at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, through a program in partnership with Producer Hub, which is serving as our fiscal sponsor.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
This will be our first time at Fringe, so we’re accepting recommendations ourselves!
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Honest, unapologetic, immediate, welcoming and hopeful
What keeps you inspired?
Our friends, who are all so talented and hard working that to keep up with them I gotta keep working!
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
That behind every news headline is a real person who never asked to be there.
When and where can people see the show?
SELEDKA is playing in
Paradise In Augustines (The Snug) - Aug 17th-22nd at 12:50
AND
ZOO Playground (Playground 3) - Aug 24th-30th at 17:10
Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/seledka
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