内容摘要：Ms Luckett, the Blues singer, was listening to make sure the characters' dialect sounded right. She watched to see if the land in the backdrop of the film was as flat and green as it is in real life.

Ms Luckett, the Blues singer, was listening to make sure the characters' dialect sounded right. She watched to see if the land in the backdrop of the film was as flat and green as it is in real life.

"Two years ago, we were close to having to close," she said. "That year, we filed a nearly £190,000 loss."The Kenton was saved by a £100,000 loan from Henley Town Council.

"It gave us the breathing space to reset things," Miss Pheasant said."We're in a much better position now. We've managed to reduce our losses down to £30,000 in a year, which is incredible."We're really hoping by the end of August this year to be nearly at break-even point."

But she said there should be more support for venues like the Kenton.She said: "The reality is that, for all these smaller theatres, ticket sales alone are never going to cover running costs.

"Trying to look after buildings of this age, trying to look after running costs - I don't think people appreciate how much it costs just to open the theatre every day."

At Cornerstone, however, the mood is optimistic.Unlike Mavka, Pavlo believes the war must end, even if it means losing his ability to return to Ukraine.

"Human life is of the greatest value… but there are certain conditions for a ceasefire and not everyone might agree with them as it raises a question, why have all those people died then during the past three years? Would they feel abandoned and betrayed?"Pavlo is wary of talking, even via an encrypted line, but adds: "I don't envy anyone involved in this decision-making process. It won't be simple, black and white."

Iryna fears for Crimea's next generation who have grown up in an atmosphere of violence and, she says, copy their fathers who have returned from Russia's war against Ukraine.She shows me her bandaged cat, and says a child on her street shot it with a rubber bullet.