35 Years of Wordless Comedy: How the Legendary Ukrainian Show ‘Masks’ Was Born.

‘Masks’ Turns 35

According to Novyny.live: This year marks 35 years since the first episodes of the Ukrainian comedy project ‘Masks’ aired. Over time, the troupe’s humor gained recognition both in Ukraine and abroad. The initial filming took place in 1991, when the team began producing short comedic segments for popular programs. Each episode was built around a single theme.

Early Days and a Unique Style of Humor

How did ‘Masks’ come to be? Renowned performer Borys Barsky recalls the early phase:

‘Then a producer emerged—very good, talented, young Lyosha Mitrofanov. And he said, there’s an idea to create a show like this. At the time, there were no specific themes in mind. We just decided to give it a try. So we shot, I think, two or three episodes back in ’91.’ - Borys Barsky

‘Sacks full of negative reviews arrived, but we didn’t read them—we didn’t need to. We’re not readers; we’re writers.’ - Borys Barsky

The humor of ‘Masks’ stood out for its originality. ‘It was a wordless show, understandable to every viewer. We worked in Japan, Colombia, all over the world,’ the artist added. Odessa, the team’s hometown, became a wellspring of inspiration for many performances. ‘Odessa is a city of positivity, a donor city. I’ve traveled to many countries and cities, but I’ve never encountered such energizers anywhere else as in Odessa,’ Barsky emphasized.

Additionally, the group opened a theater, which became a key part of their work. ‘When we opened the theater, the shows drew huge crowds. People came to laugh—they craved that,’ he notes. Thus, ‘Masks’ not only produced comedy but also became a place where audiences could find solace and positive emotions, especially during hard times like war. Humor became a breath of freedom for many, and ‘Masks’ remains a vital element of Ukraine’s comedy scene.

Since its founding, ‘Masks’ has grown into more than just a popular comedy project—it has become an important cultural pillar of Ukrainian society. The team’s unique style and ability to adapt to societal shifts have kept them relevant for decades. Amid modern challenges, such as military conflict, the humor of ‘Masks’ serves as therapy for many Ukrainians, offering a chance to escape reality and find joy in everyday life.