Bournemouth’s community theatre group Vita Nova is staging a poignant nativity play this month, with a Ukrainian refugee, Viktoria Nikitina, from Slavutich, near Chernobyl playing the part of Mary.

The production also includes other refugees from Ukraine as well as people from Sudan, Syria and Russia, with Khabib from Afghanistan as Joseph in Refugee Nativity.

Written and directed by Dr Sharon Coyne, the play will be performed on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December at Rosebery Park Baptist Church in Bournemouth.

Sharon Coyne said: “Refugee Nativity was written in response to the current crisis of people being displaced from their homelands.

“Our play touches on the beautiful Christmas story, which features Mary and Joseph, who are displaced, having a baby away from home, and then fleeing to Egypt to escape the tyrant Herod.

“We want to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas, a time of hope, rebirth and love. Some of the people taking part in our play will have, at times, lost hope. “They have struggled to find a safe, new home, and others have been challenged by addiction.

“This nativity story is timeless and enchanting – it reminds us of the constant and ever-present need for humanity.”

Viktoria represents the 700-strong community of refugees from the Ukraine war, who have found homes amongst 450 host families in Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole.

Vita Nova is a Bournemouth-based theatre group with a national reputation for using performance to give new hope and direction to those in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

The cast for Refugee Nativity brings together refugees, adults with English as a second language and those in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse.

For this production, Vita Nova will be working with Jon Nicholas, an actor, director and playwright, who has worked with drama in places of conflict.

Jon said:  “Participants from over 10 nationalities are taking part in this production. Everyone is learning and challenging themselves, and everyday proving that cooperation is possible.”

Vita Nova relies on charitable giving for its funding. For more information visit www.vitanova.co.uk or email office@vitanova.co.uk

Vita Nova will by making a donating to Increase the Peace from proceeds of the tickets.

Tickets can be booked at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/472559106007.