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Dateline: 2nd June, 2009

Revolutions logo

Russian Revolutions at the RSC

The Royal Shakespeare Company is soon to begin Revolutions, an exploration of a new generation of post-Soviet theatre. Revolutions includes two world premieres by Ukrainian and Russian playwrights Natal’ia Vorozbhit and the Durnenkov brothers, the first new RSC commissions to open on The Courtyard Theatre stage, and a packed events programme which brings some of Russia’s contemporary writers and theatre artists to the UK.

The company also celebrates the impact of two of Russia’s most influential 19th century writers, Pushkin and Gogol, announcing plans to stage new adaptations of Boris Godunov, adapted by the late Adrian Mitchell, and Dead Souls, adapted by Michael Boyd.

These two adaptations of classic Russian novels will join previously announced new plays to be staged in 2011 (dates to be announced): Little Eagles by Rona Munro about the Russian Space Race, which will be directed by RSC Associate Director Roxana Silbert, and Silence, a project on censorship devised by the theatre collective Filter, and directed by RSC Associate Director David Farr.

Michael Boyd said, "Stanislavski still stands as the father of naturalism in theatre and film, but his protégé Meyerhold became the most innovative and charismatic theatre director of the 20th Century. The finest theatre work today can be traced back directly to the influences of either one of these two seminal figures of modern theatre.

"We’re also looking forward – engaging with a new generation of post-Soviet artists, who are bringing life to old forms. Along with our world premieres of The Drunks and The Grain Store, our September 2009 programme of events and play readings gives people a chance to hear some of the most provocative and urgent artistic voices in Russia today, exploring contemporary issues and ideas, through everything from poetry and playwriting, to photography and breakdancing."

The Season

The Drunks
By Mikhail and Vyacheslav Durnenkov, translated by Nina Raine
Directed by Anthony Neilson
A New RSC Commission and world premiere
The Courtyard Theatre
Plays in repertoire from 21 August - 1 October 2009
On Wednesday 23 September, 5.30 – 6.15pm in The Courtyard Theatre director Anthony Neilson, playwrights Mikhail and Vyacheslav Durnenkov and translator Nina Raine discuss the creative choices made in the production.

The Grain Store
By Natal’ia Vorozbhit, translated by Sasha Dugdale
Directed by Michael Boyd
A New RSC Commission and world premiere
The Courtyard Theatre
Plays in repertoire 10 September – 1 October 2009
On Tuesday 22 September, 5.30 – 6.15pm in The Courtyard Theatre a discussion with sirector Michael Boyd, playwright Natal’ia Vorozhbit and translator Sasha Dugdale.

Play Readings
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September in the Attic Theatre, Cox’s Yard, Stratford-upon-Avon. The plays are translated by Sasha Dugdale.

Ahasverus
By Vassily Sigarev
19 September, 11am, £5
A drunken homecoming party spins out of control with heartbreaking consequences.

How I Ate a Dog
By Evgeny Grishkovets
19 September, 5.30pm, £5
A monologue about life in the Russian Navy and the best way to cook a dog.

Pacific Island
By Alexander Arkhipov
An RSC Commission
20 September, 3pm, £5
A remote garrison in the Pacific Ocean begins to put on a play. Behind the scenes a love story develops which has horrific consequences.

July
By Ivan Vyrypaev
20 September, 6pm, £5
A disturbing and poetic journey into the mind of a psychopathic killer by one of Russia’s leading playwrights.

Beyond the Track
By Yaroslava Pulinovich
A Royal Court Commission
20 September, 8pm, £5
In this cinematic epic, a family tragedy forces five year old Alina to live near a disused railway line with her Aunt Irma.

There will also be a series of talks and debates, practical workshops and exhibitions.

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©Peter Lathan 2009