Myth and Reality Meet in the Darkness

On a very dark and very stormy night, a folklore enthusiast (Tatyana Kot) appears at the Ukrainian cottage of a mysterious woman (Iryna Malygina). The isolated home deep in the woods is shared only by faceless dolls, represented by 4 dancers who lurk silently, witnesses to the unfolding events. Thus begins a journey In the Wilderness of Demons, a compelling tale by the acclaimed Don Nigro—one steeped in Ukrainian legend, mixed with dark wit, suspense, a touch of horror, and a deep dive into the existential.

“What a night to be creeping around out there,” the woman scolds. “It’s pouring down ice cubes…there is a raven frozen to the pump!” (An image that immediately sets the tone.)

When the folklorist explains she got lost in the woods, the woman turns philosophical. “Getting lost on the way is all part of God’s plan,” she responds. “He wants us to get lost, to sell us outdated roadmaps and compasses that don’t work.” She admits that she thought the folklorist might have been one of the dead, “who come out of their graves this time of year…they try to get back in their houses.”

The eccentric, assertive cottage dweller pivots between doting on the soaked and shivering folklorist and appearing to intentionally frighten and unsettle her. She dries her feet, gives her slippers owned by her late grandmother, serves her tea, and makes up a bed for her—only to turn around and tease her by suggesting she’ll be sharing it with a dead rat.

“I’m joking,” she says. “He’s probably just sleeping—or pretending to sleep.”

Malygina (who also produced) is outstanding at bringing the witch-like character to life, creating a mystery and unease that is palpably felt by the audience. She is also intensely philosophical and astute, as when the folklorist mentions her realization that “all men are a—holes.”

“Men think we’re vampires,” notes Malygina’s character. “The thing they want most is to drive a stake into us…but it’s the men who prey upon us. I had my fourth husband buried face down to make sure he didn’t come back after he died.”

Along the way we get an education in the Ukranian folklore our protagonist is so intrigued by, as we learn of the Rusalka, the legendary water nymphs who would lure men to their deaths under the sea, and the demonic Chorts.

“Do you really think that they exist?” asks the folklorist.

“Define exist,” says the woman. “Does a dream exist? It always seems real when it’s happening in your head…but then you wake up…or, you wake up into another dream.”

The set design by Lesya Verba is a perfect complement to the unfolding thriller, allowing the faceless dolls to wander about menacingly, always watching (and judging? As the woman suspects). “It’s their job to make guests feel uncomfortable so they leave.”

As the audience identification character, Kot is fantastic, imbuing the wary folklorist with an intense existential dread, as she begins to suspect that she has been in this strange place before.

The soundscape adds further atmosphere with thunder, whistling winds, and ticking old-fashioned clocks. The woman explains that her father liked to collect broken clocks—in her opinion, as a way to control time.

The disturbing atmosphere is pierced mid-play by an exhilarating dance sequence, where our protagonists join the no-longer faceless dolls, all transformed into Rusalka-like spirits. Following this cathartic interlude (which makes the folklorist wonder what’s in the tea), the story ends (or begins?) with a shocking revelation—and an invitation…

In the Wilderness of Demons is a magical, frightening, funny, and exhilarating experience that celebrates both Ukrainian culture and legend, and women’s empowerment.

The production is expertly shepherded by director Eduard Tolokonnikov, with expert choreography by Kot. The doll dancers are Shoko Tamai, Marija Obradovic, Evelina Pristovsek and Iren Kamyshev.

In the Wilderness of Demons is a production by MOVA Theater Company. It runs at The John Cullum Theatre at the American Theater of Actors through 11/02/25. Learn more at movatheater.com/.