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

Jim O'Mulloy

I saw the first night and I think it is a beautiful, subtle and highly poetic play, incredibly well perfomed and neatly staged. Please pass my appreciation on to all your cast and crew.

Caroline Doyle

Ok. I went on Tuesday and was very impressed.

Large cast beautifully marshalled into an extended family with all the in-fighting and bickering that involves.

Tense situations often relieved by little comedy moments.

I was genuinely torn between the three main characters. Wanting to support all of them and not knowing how to resolve this, until it was resolved for me and made me sad. But in a very good way.

Gripping acting, a good play and a very vivid insight into a slice of time from the past.

And Naomi's swimsuit eclipsed Matthew's trousers for me, no problems!

Gallery

• Production photos by Mark Davies
• 

  Stevie Hughes

• 

  Daniel Kelly and Adam Crook

• 

  Emma Kerby-Evans and Richard Bennison

• 

  Stevie Hughes and Matthew Lyne

• 

  Joanna Hughes and Richard Watkins

• 

  Jeanette Hoile, Margaret Glenn and Simon Holland

• 

  Simon Holland and Naomi Liddle

• 

  Joanna Hughes and Richard Watkins

• 

  Jeanette Hoile, Katie Balme, Emma Kerby-Evans, Naomi Liddle and Stevie Hughes

• 

  Naomi Liddle and Matthew Lyne

• 

  Naomi Liddle and Simon Holland

• 

  Matthew Davies and Adam Crook

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

List of 'Stuff we need' posted on Discussion Board

Flute

Cornet

Tambourine

Gas masks

Russian military revolver and 3 other 1930s or similar era Russian hand guns

Really old sit up and beg bike (suitable for man to ride) Supplied by Michael Wilson

Small wicker or garden occasional tables (2 or 3) ideally with some matching chairs -supplied by Michael Wilson

Bugle - supplied by James Webb

Accordian - supplied by Chris Briggs

Guitar - supplied by Mark Ireson

Old (ideally 1936) copy of Pravda

2 or 3 old stretchers - found in Rehearsal Room - one particularly aged one was sat on by a child and ripped instantly

Silver cigarette case - supplied by Chris Briggs

Old vodka bottle

Military radio set c.1930s - supplied by James Hough - HIS OLD MOBILE PHONE)

Costumes

1930s Russian General's costume

1930s Russian tank officers' costumes

both eventually supplied by Sabre Sales, Southsea

Costume 'issues'

As is probably clear to anyone who knows me, I am a total costume geek. I felt that for the authenticity of the play and characters that it was necessary to make special high-waisted linen trousers for both my lead actors to give the correct 'louche' 1930s feel to the piece. They have been superbly sporting about wearing them but for some reason the white ones have attracted most attention and I hate to say it, opprobrium.

We also took a trip to the Southsea emporium that is Sabre Sales with its fantastic collection of militaria, presided over by the low-key but amazingly expert Dickie, who despite protestations that he didn't really have anything Russian from our period, managed to kit Matthew out in a manner that would have made any self-respecting Bolshevik general proud. And Adam and Daniel as the leather-jacketed, booted Tank officers have the best costumes ever for a five-minute role.

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]