Burnt by the Sun (2010)
Directed by Lisa Thomas
Performances: Tue 2nd – Sat 6th November 2010, Bell Theatre
Contents
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
Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
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See Also
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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]