Burnt by the Sun (2010)

Poster by Lisa Thomas

by Peter Flannery

Directed by Lisa Thomas

Performances: Tue 2nd – Sat 6th November 2010, Bell Theatre

Introduction

It's 1936. General Kotov, a hero of the Russian Revolution, is spending summer at his country dacha with his adored wife Maroussia, their daughter, Nadia and members of their extended family. When Mitia, Maroussia’s former lover, returns from a lengthy and unexplained absence, sexual jealousy, retribution and political backstabbing combine as Kotov is subjected to the terrifying reach of Stalin’s rule.

This brilliant play premiered at the National Theatre in 2009. It’s closely based on the 1994 film of the same name which has become a modern classic (and has in fact recently inspired a sequel). It combines both a powerful love triangle and a look at the paranoid politics that were already apparent prior to Stalin’s great terror. An apparently idyllic summer becomes the backdrop to fear, betrayal and ultimate disaster for the family.

Cast

• General Kotov - Matthew Lyne
• Nadia, Kotov's daughter - Katie Balme
• Maroussia, Kotov's wife - Naomi Liddle
• Lidia, Grandmother to Maroussia - Margaret Glenn
• Elena, Lidia's friend - Jeanette Hoile
• Mokhova, the family maid - Joanna Hughes
• Vselvolod, Lidia's son - Stevie Hughes
• Olga, Maroussia's mother - Emma Kerby-Evans
• Kolya, a tank officer - Adam Crook
• Andrushya, a tank officer - Daniel Kelly
• Kirik, Elena's son - Richard Bennison
• Truck driver - Richard Watkins
• Mitia - Simon Holland
• Blokhin, an officer of the NKVD - Martin Balanow
• Mironov, an officer of the NKVD - Derek Dempsey
• Aronin, an officer of the NKVD - Nick Conway
• Village children and Young Pioneers - Stanley Myers, Blake McKenzie, Leah Girma, Kitty Judge, Conor Sales, Matthew Nixon

Crew

• Stage Manager - Jess Osorio
• Lighting Design - Stuart Draper
• Music and Sound Design - Pete Coombs
• Lighting Operator - Ross Adamson
• Costumes - Emma Kerby-Evans, Lisa Thomas, Dickie at Sabre Sales, Southsea
• Props and furniture - Michael Wilson, Chris Briggs and Emmaus, James Webb, Alan Buckman, Emma Kerby-Evans

Reviews

Some review quotes go here

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

List of 'Stuff we need' posted on Discussion Board I suspect this list will keep increasing exponentially as we go on but I thought I'd start something now to see if we can get hold of some of the many weird and wonderful bits and pieces we need for Burnt by the Sun. Some bits are props; others are costumes that someone might just have!

Flute Cornet Tambourine Gas masks - ideally 6 WE HAVE THREE BUT THEY ARE A BIT MODERN Russian military revolver and 3 other 1930s or similar era Russian hand guns NEED URGENTLY

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Really old sit up and beg bike (suitable for man to ride) WE HAVE THIS Small wicker or garden occasional tables (2 or 3) ideally with some matching chairs WE HAVE THESE Trumpets WE HAVE A BUGLE! Accordian WE HAVE THIS Guitar WE HAVE THIS Old (ideally 1936) copy of Pravda THINK WE HAVE THIS 2 or 3 old stretchers WE HAVE 2 STRETCHERS Silver cigarette case WE HAVE THIS Old vodka bottle WE HAVE THIS Military radio set c.1930s WE HAVE THIS (JAMES H'S OLD MOBILE PHONE)

Costumes 1930s Russian General's costume GOING TO SOUTHSEA 1930s Russian tank officers' costumes AS ABOVE

See Also

Have there been other SLT productions of this play? Link to them here.

Or add anything that is related within this site. The author's page for instance or other plays with a similar theme.

References

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External Links

• Details of the 2009 National Theatre production can be found at [1]