A celebration of theatre in Russia and the former Soviet Union 21 August - 1 October 09
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next This September, the RSC launches a four year celebration and exploration of theatre in Russia and The former soviet union. We begin with the premiere of two new RSC commissioned plays from Russia and Ukraine, performed by the RSC Ensemble. The Grain Store and The Drunks capture the voices of an exciting new generation of post-Soviet playwrights. We will end with a major Russian contribution to our 2012 Olympic celebration. Magnum/Thomas Dworzak
Russia is reasserting itself as a major influence in world politics and culture through its In Revolutions, we are beginning a new chapter in the RSC’s historic relationship rich natural resources and rediscovery of nationalism. For over a century, Russian theatre with this daunting, great, paradoxical nation. Join us to explore the breadth of Russian has had a profound influence on theatre in the West and particularly that of the RSC. culture through a dynamic series of events. Hear talks and debates with leading After Shakespeare, Chekhov is the most performed playwright in the world and Russian cultural commentators and practitioners, listen to readings of work from new and work has always featured heavily in the RSC’s repertoire. Stanislavsky began and is established Russian dramatists, see the latest in visual arts and experience still at the heart of Western film and theatre practice. The RSC has broken free of this Late Night Young Russia, an explosive mix of words, music and breakdancing. by also embracing the bold, expressive style championed by Stanislavsky’s rebellious pupil, Meyerhold, especially in Peter Brook’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Trevor Nunn’s The RSC Ensemble is generously supported by The RSC Literary Department is generously The RSC’s New Work is generously supported THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION and supported by THE DRUE HEINZ TRUST by CHRISTOPHER SETON ABELE on behalf of Nicholas Nickleby and Michael Boyd’s The Histories. THE KOVNER FOUNDATION THE ARGOSY FOUNDATION
prev next PLAYS IN REPERTOIRE FROM FRI 21 AUGUST - THU 1 OCTOBER
Mikhail and Vyacheslav Durnenkov translated BY NINA RAINE A new RSC Commission
In this darkly comic and free-wheeling epic, the Durnenkov Brothers get to the heart of small town politics and what it means to please all of the people all of the time. Jonjo O’Neill takes the role of Ilya following ENSEMBLE: his performance as Orlando in C H A R L E S A I T K E N A D A M B U R TO N As You Like It earlier in the season. DAVID CARR B R I A N D O H E R T Y The Drunks is directed by RSC Literary D A R R E L L D ’ S I LV A Associate Anthony Neilson. His previous D Y FA N D W Y FO R PHILLIP EDGERLEY work for the RSC includes God in Ruins C H R I S T I N E E N T W I S L E (Soho Theatre). A provincial town is JA M E S GA L E PA U L H A M I LT O N in search of a hero. J A M E S H O W A R D Mikhail Durnenkov is the author of fifteen Ilya, a shell shocked R I C H A R D K AT Z plays and his critically acclaimed work S A N D Y N E I L S O N soldier, downs vodka J O N J O O ’ N E I L L is widely seen in Russia. His brother and PETER PEVERLEY frequent co-author Vyacheslav has on his return from the S O P H I E R U S S E L L written over twenty plays. Their play front line in Chechnya. C L A R E N C E S M I T H J A M E S T R A H E R N E The Cultural Layer is recognised as being As he arrives home HANNAH YOUNG a key moment in the revitalising of new he stumbles into DIRECTOR drama in Russia. ANTHONY NEILSON the epicentre of an Designer Translator Nina Raine was awarded the Tom Piper extraordinary power Lighting 2006 Critics’ Circle Award and the Oliver Fenwick Evening Standard’s Charles Wintour Award struggle that threatens Music and Sound Nick Powell for her debut play Rabbit. to tear the town apart. Movement
Photograph of Jonjo O’Neill by Julia Fullerton-Batten Anna Morrissey This production contains strong language. prev next PLAYS IN REPERTOIRE FROM Ukraine 1929. THU 10 SEPTEMBER - THU 1 OCTOBER As Stalin launches the first of his Five Year Plans, a close-knit rural community stands in the way of his drive to create a thriving socialist Soviet Union. The outcome is catastrophic.
Natal’ia Vorozhbit Translated by Sasha Dugdale a New RSC Commission ENSEMBLE: JOSEPH ARKLEY N O M A D U M E Z W E N I G E O F F R E Y F R E S H W A T E R What begins for the people of the village MARIAH GALE G R U F F U D D G LY N as an amusingly alien political concept GREG HICKS rapidly becomes an unstoppable force KATHRYN HUNTER KELLY HUNTER for change. Robbed first of their land, ANSU KABIA then their religion and independence, TUNJI KASIM D E B B I E KO R L E Y the whole country soon becomes JOHN MACKAY engulfed by a tragedy that will scar a FO R B E S M A S S O N D H A R M E S H PAT E L nation for generations. PAT R I C K R O M E R DAVID RUBIN Natal’ia Vorozhbit’s plays Demons and OLIVER RYAN S I M O N E S A U N D E R S Galka Motalko have been staged in PETER SHOREY Moscow and at the National Theatre of K AT Y S T E P H E N S S A M T R O U G H TO N Latvia. Galka Motalko has been adapted JA M E S T U C K E R for the screen and is currently being L A R R I N G T O N W A L K E R K I R S T Y W O O D W A R D filmed in Moscow. SAMANTHA YOUNG Sasha Dugdale’s translations include director michael boyd Black Milk and Plasticine by DESIGNER Vassily Sigarev, Terrorism by the TOM PIPER Lighting Presnyakov Brothers and Oliver Fenwick The Khomenko Family Chronicles, music john woolf also by Natal’ia Vorozhbit. Sound Nick Powell Movement Supported by The Columbia Foundation Fund
Photograph of Tunji Kasim and Samantha Young by Julia Fullerton-Batten and Samantha Young Kasim Photograph of Tunji Anna Morrissey of the Capital Community Foundation prev next Playwright Evgeny Grishkovets Playwright Yaroslava Pulinovich Playwright Yaroslava Playwright Alexander Arkhipov
POSTCARDS
FROM RUSSIA Anthony Neilson, Vyacheslav Durnenkov, and Mikhail Durnenkov Nina Raine As part of the development process for The Drunks, Jeanie O’Hare, RSC Company Dramaturg, Anthony Neilson, Director, and Nina Raine, Translator, visited Playwrights Mikhail and Vyacheslav Durnenkov in
Moscow. Below is an edited extract from Jeanie’s diary. Anthony Neilson, Vyacheslav Durnenkov, and Mikhail Durnenkov Nina Raine Sigarev Playwright Vassily
Sunday 15 February – Day One Tuesday 17 February – Day Three
Touch down in Moscow. Snow everywhere. We are met by Tanya Oskolkova, our interpreter. The smoke from the previous day hangs around the rehearsal room. New scenes from the literal She has worked everywhere and knows everyone in Russian theatre. She takes us to our waiting translator are faxed through from England and we carry on working through the play. We hit one taxi. Nina’s seatbelt doesn’t work and even though it is two-below-zero Anthony winds down the scene where we find a disagreement amongst the writers. Tanya looks over while they argue window of the front passenger seat to smoke. Nina very quiet holding her seatbelt. When we go to in a very animated fashion and tells us that they can’t agree on the point we have put to them. bed at 9pm (UK-time) none of us can sleep. Vyacheslav is the soul of the play and Mikhail the structure. They both care passionately about their work and complement each others’ strengths as writers. There are a lot of smiles as they argue and they know they are amusing us. They are now so ‘inside’ the play that any decision they Monday 16 February – Day Two make will feel truthful. In the afternoon Anthony and Nina go out into Moscow with Mikhail. He is a great guide. Tanya and I meet with other theatre directors who will come over for our Revolutions festival in September. Bleary eyed at breakfast we have an hour and a half script meeting. We are agreed on the notes I say goodbye to Tanya until we see her in Stratford-upon-Avon. we have. Nina is very diligent and knows the script backwards. The Meyerhold Centre (where we will work) is next door. Mikhail and Vyacheslav arrive. I’d forgotten just how much I love them as people, not just as writers. We spend much of the first two hours talking about life in Russia, Putin, the motor-town Tolyatti (where Vyacheslav lives) and the future direction of their country. It is a sobering conversation. Three years ago a lot of the play’s characters felt like grotesques, but now they don’t feel like they are exaggerated enough. We get down to working through the script line by line. Tanya is a brilliantly subtle interpreter and I know that a note on the script will be intact when she repeats it to the brothers. She understands dramaturgical language precisely. I am keen to work through the script and then get Anthony and Nina out into Moscow to get a taste of particular kind of madness in the vodka-drinking culture. This will inform the aesthetic of the play which is disturbingly off-kilter. Natal’ia Vorozhbit and Michael Boyd Natal’ia Vorozhbit Mikhail and Vyacheslav Durnenkov
prev next Join us for a dynamic series of events exploring Russia’s EVENTS PROGRAMME cultural past, present and future through theatre, music, SUPPORTED BY literature and the visual arts. Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation TALKS AND DEBATES
SUNDAY BRUNCH The Courtyard Theatre The RSC’s Sunday Brunches return with a Russian theme.
Includes brunch and live music from 11.30am followed by the debate at 1pm. region, 2008 Kursk Kastornoe, Alexandra Demenkova,
Revolution of Director and Russian British Approaches Russia Now The Future of to Russian Theatre Russian Theatre the Times: The Cox’s Writers’ Talk – Insights SUN 20 SEP, Yard Play Readings The Grain Store THU 24 SEP, SUN 13 SEP, 11.30AM – 2PM, £15 and Writing 11.30AM – 2PM, £15 SUN 27 SEP, in Context TUE 22 SEP, 4PM, £10 11.30AM – 2PM, £15 SAT 19 SEP, 5.30 - 6.15PM, £5 Shakespeare Institute 6.45PM, FREE The Courtyard Theatre From Meyerhold to Contemporary Leading commentators Attic Theatre, Cox’s Yard Stanislavsky, Russian theatre commentators and art and theatre makers from RSC Company Dramaturg Director Michael Boyd, Reflecting on her time as practitioners have had an makers from Russia and Russia and the UK including Jeanie O’Hare, with playwright Natal’ia Vorozhbit the BBC’s Moscow enormous influence on the the UK including writer and Marina Davydova, writer Elyse Dodgson, curator and translator Sasha Dugdale Correspondent, the BBC’s development of theatre in director Ivan Vyrypaev, of The Death of Russian of the Cox’s Yard Play discuss the creative choices Diplomatic Correspondent Britain. RSC Artistic Director artists Victor Alimpiev Theatre, theatre critic and Readings, and poet and made in the production. Bridget Kendall provides a Michael Boyd and Cheek by and Semyon Faibisovich journalist Elena Karas, translator Sasha Dugdale unique and personal insight Jowl Artistic Director and Russian theatre critic translator Sasha Dugdale give an overview of the Director and Writers’ into Russian society, Declan Donnellan discuss and rector of Moscow Arts and Elena Gremina, play readings and explore Talk – The Drunks politics and culture. how their practice has been School Anatoly Smelanski playwright and founder of the process, pleasures and WED 23 SEP, Introduced by Doctor of inspired by the great Russian discuss emerging but often Theatre.doc, discuss the pitfalls of developing and 5.30 – 6.15PM, £5 Russian Literature at Oxford theatre traditions. Chaired by unnoticed trends in Russian future of Russian theatre. translating contemporary The Courtyard Theatre University, Julie Curtis, Cynthia Marsh, Professor of art and society. Chaired by Chaired by the BBC Russian work for the and followed by a Q&A. Russian Drama and Literature The Independent’s Diplomatic Correspondent British stage. Director Anthony Neilson, at the University of Alice Jones. Bridget Kendall. See page 15 for details of playwrights Mikhail and Nottingham. the Play Readings Package Vyacheslav Durnenkov and translator Nina Raine discuss the creative choices made in the production.
prev next EXHIBITIONS playSAT 19 AND SUN 20readings SEP, Attic Theatre, Cox’s Yard Theatre of the A New Place Victor Alimpiev The best of contemporary Russian playwriting comes to Stratford-upon-Avon for Future: to Live Semyon Faibisovich an extraordinary weekend celebrating the beauty and ferocity of new Russian work. An Exhibition on 21 AUG – 3 OCT, Free, 23 SEP – 15 NOV, Curated by Elyse Dodgson, Associate Director (International) at the Royal Court Theatre, the Influence of open to audience open Tuesday to Sunday, the writers join us for two days to present a rich, varied and heart-stopping array of Russian Theatre members during 11am-6pm. new work. The plays are translated by critically acclaimed poet Sasha Dugdale. 21 AUG – 3 OCT, Free, performance times. Ikon, Birmingham, Ahasverus How Pacific July The Track open to audience Mezzanine Level, admission free by Vassily I Ate Island by Ivan by Yaroslava members during The Courtyard Theatre Ikon presents solo exhibitions Sigarev A Dog by Alexander Vyrypaev Pulinovich performance times. Some of Russia’s leading by two of Russia’s leading SAT 19 SEP, by Evgeny Arkhipov SUN 20 SEP, A Royal Court Mezzanine Level, documentary photographers contemporary artists. 11am, £5 Grishkovets An RSC 6pm, £5 Theatre The Courtyard Theatre explore themes of Visit www.ikon-gallery.co.uk A drunken SAT 19 SEP, Commission A disturbing Commission contemporary landscape, or call 0121 248 0708 homecoming 5.30pm, £5 Sun 20 Sep, and poetic SUN 20 SEP, This display looks at the A buoyant 3pm, £5 8pm, £5 groundbreaking work of rural and family life in for more details. party spins out journey into monologue A remote In this beautiful Russian theatre practitioners Russia, curated by of control with the mind of a garrison in the and cinematic from the late 19th and early photographer and editor heartbreaking about life in the psychopathic 20th century, examining their Liza Faktor. consequences. Russian Navy Pacific Ocean killer by one epic, a family continuing influence on and the best begins to put on of Russia’s tragedy forces world theatre design and way to cook a a play. Behind leading five year old performance today. dog. the scenes playwrights. Alina to live a love story near a disused develops which Includes content railway line which some has horrific people may find with her Aunt consequences disturbing. Irma. for all. For information about the Play Readings Package see page 15
Liza Faktor, St. Petersburg, 2005 Liza Faktor, Republic of Tuva, 2008 late night young russia Late Night Young Russia FRI 18 SEP, 11pm, £10 The Courtyard Theatre Beyond An explosive mix of words, music and dance, as RSC actors perform Ivan Vyrypaev’s ‘manifesto of the new generation’ Oxygen, sharing the stage with Russian DJ Hobot and Russia’s world champion B-boy crew, Top 9. Directed by RSC Associate Director, Deborah Shaw.
PRACTICALRussian Performance Day for 16-25s WORKSHOPS SAT 19 SEP, from 10am, £10 + cost of matinee ticket (contact Box Office for details of £5 tickets for 16-25 year olds) Waterside Space, Stratford-upon-Avon A two hour practical workshop with an RSC Assistant Director, exploring ways into the text and style of The Drunks, followed by a matinee performance of the play and a post-show discussion with Alexander Gronsky, Vladivostok, 2006 Alexander Gronsky, Moscow, 2007 members of the Acting Company.
prev next TICKET The A Level Theatre PRICES Complete the Russian Studies Course Experience A two day practical programme of work tailor made for A Level Theatre Studies Students and Friday 18-Sunday 20 September £80 delivered by RSC artists and visiting experts. Inspired by the Revolutions season and aimed courtyard (16-25 year olds £40) at students aged 16-19 years old, these days are designed specifically to broaden their knowledge and understanding of practical theatre. theatre Immerse yourself in the cultural past, present and future of Russia and the former Soviet Union Students can book for either one or both days and will leave the course having a deeper with this 3 day package: understanding of the impact and influence of key Russian theatre practitioners on arts practice today. Reduced Price Previews Package includes: Stalls £20 £15 £10 £8* Friday 18 September Wed 23 Sep Circle £20 £15 £10 £8* Top price ticket for The Grain Store at 7.30pm Stanislavsky and Devising theatre Exploring Gallery £15 £10 £8 £8* £5 followed by Late Night Young Russia at 11pm the development inspired by Ensemble Saturday 19 September of Naturalistic Stanislavsky and Explore the concept of Play Reading: Ahasverus at 11am Theatre Naturalism Monday to Friday evenings Top price ticket for The Drunks at 1.30pm ensemble, and consider how and all matinees Explore Stanislavsky’s Discover what creative it has influenced the shaping Play Reading: How I Ate A Dog at 5.30pm approach to theatre and outcomes can be developed of European Theatre. Stalls £32 £28 £22 £15* (followed by the free talk Revolution of the Times acting and consider the and created when Circle £32 £28 £22 £15* at 6.45 pm) emergence of Naturalism as approaching devising through Gallery £28 £22 £15 £15* £12 Sunday 20 September a theatrical approach. a Stanislavsky based, Brunch: Russia Now from 11.30am Naturalistic Theatre approach. Saturday evenings Three Play Readings: Pacific Island at 3pm, July at 6pm and Beyond the Track at 8pm thu 24 Sep Stalls £42 £34 £26 £20* Biomechanics, Devising theatre Creating Circle £42 £34 £26 £20* Meyerhold and inspired by the Design: Gallery £34 £26 £20 £20* £14 Late Night Physical Theatre Meyerhold and Russia to the RSC Physical Theatre Russia Explore Physical Theatre Investigate the work of Superseats are available in the Stalls and Circle at a through Biomechanics and approach to Russian theatre designers supplement of £10 per ticket. Package devising Friday 18-Saturday 19 September Meyerhold’s approach to and the influence of their * View from this seat may be restricted at certain times during theatre making. Consider and create drama work on Tom Piper, RSC the performance. Buy tickets for both the evening performance of from a Physical Theatre Associate Designer and £5 standing tickets are available in the Gallery. The Grain Store on Friday 18 September and the starting point using the designer of The Drunks and Seats in the back row of the Stalls are sold at price bands matinee performance of The Drunks on Saturday principles of Biomechanics. The Grain Store. B and C as they are high chairs and slightly narrower than 19 September and get your ticket for other seating in the Stalls. Late Night Young Russia free.
10am – 4.30pm each day. Costs: £25 each day, £40 for both days plus cost of performance tickets Play To book call the RSC Education Ticket Hotline on 0844 800 1113. Readings This line is answered by a specialist Education Box Office Team, available from 8.30am-5.00pm, Monday-Friday during term time. As well as £5 tickets for 16-25 year olds RSC TICKETS the RSC is offering 50 free tickets for Package 16-25 year olds every Tuesday until Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September £15 February 2011 as part of the Arts Council scheme A Night Less Ordinary. For more Experience the breadth of new Russian drama information visit www.rsc.org.uk/16-25 and get all five Play Readings for the price of three. prev next PERFORMANCE AND EVENTS SCHEDULE
August september fri 21 THE drunks 7.30 f SUN 20 BRUNCH: RUSSIA NOW 11.30 AM sat 22 THE drunks 7.30 PLAY READING: PACIFIC ISLAND 3.00 mon 24 THE drunks 7.30 PLAY READING: JULY 6.00 tue 25 THE drunks 7.30 PLAY READING: BEYOND THE TRACK 8.00 wed 26 THE drunks 7.30 MON 21 The GRAIN STORE 7.30 thu 27 as you like it 7.30 TUE 22 Director and Writers’ Talk: 5.30 fri 28 julius CAESAR 7.30 tHe GRAIN STORE sat 29 julius CAESAR 1.30 M ■ The GRAIN STORE 7.30 THE WINTER’S Tale 7.30 wed 23 Courses for A Level 10AM - tHeatre Studies Students 4.30PM mon 31 WINTER’S 7.30 september Director and Writers’ Talk: 5.30 tHe Drunks tue 1 THE drunks 7.30 THE drunks 7.30 wed 2 as you like it 7.30 THU 24 Courses for A Level 10AM - thu 3 julius CAESAR 1.30 M tHeatre Studies Students 4.30PM julius CAESAR 7.30 THE drunks 1.00 m p ■ FRI 4 THE WINTER’S Tale 7.30 Russian Insights 4.00 SAT 5 THE WINTER’S Tale 1.30 M The GRAIN STORE 7.00 p ■ as you like it 7.30 FRI 25 as you like it 7.30 MON 7 NO perf SAT 26 as you like it 1.30 M TUE 8 NO perf julius CAESAR 7.30 wed 9 NO perf SUN 27 Brunch: The Future of 11.30 AM THU 10 The GRAIN STORE 7.30 f rUSSIAn Theatre and Writing FRI 11 The GRAIN STORE 7.30 MON 28 julius CAESAR 7.30 SAT 12 The GRAIN STORE 7.30 TUE 29 THE WINTER’S Tale 7.30 SUN 13 BRUNCH: BRITISH APPROACHES 11.30 AM wed 30 THE WINTER’S Tale 7.30 tO RUSSIAN THEATRE october MON 14 The GRAIN STORE 7.30 THU 1 The GRAIN STORE 1.30 m l ● TUE 15 The GRAIN STORE 7.30 THE drunks 7.30 l ● wed 16 as you like it 7.30 fri 2 julius CAESAR 7.30 l THU 17 THE WINTER’S Tale 1.30 m sat 3 as you like it 1.30 M l THE WINTER’S Tale 7.30 THE WINTER’S Tale 7.30 l FRI 18 The GRAIN STORE 7.30 LATE NIGHT young russia 11.00 pm KEY SAT 19 RUSSIAN PERFORMANCE DAY 10.00 Am F = First Performance P = Press Night 11.00 Am PLAY READING: AHASVERUS AM = Morning Performance M = Matinee THE drunks 1.30 m L = Last Performance PM = Late Performance PLAY READING: HOW I ATE A DOG 5.30 ■ = Audio-Described Performance REVOLUTION OF THE TIMES 6.45 ● = Captioned Performance as you like it 7.30 = Reduced Price Preview
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