Cult Russian Political Novel to Take the Stage at Citizens Theatre

The Citizens Theatre brings an important piece of Russian political literature to the stage for the first time this autumn, marking the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution.

An extraordinary satire on the end of the Stalinist regime, Faithful Ruslan: The Story of A Guard Dog plays at Belgrade Theatre Coventry from 2 - 16 September before playing at the Citizens Theatre from 20 September - 7 October.

Georgi Vladimov's novel is an allegory on the shockwaves that were felt across the USSR when a seemingly indestructible political regime came to an end with the death of Stalin. The story is seen through the eyes of newly-released prison camp guard dogs who struggle to find their roles in this new world. This highly-physical stage adaptation is set in a modern-day prison, and sees a cast of thirteen actors take on the multiple conflicting roles of guards, prisoners and dogs.

Written in the 1960s, the novel was banned in the USSR for nearly three decades, and found a cult following among English-speaking audiences thanks to Michael Glenny's translation. The Citizens Theatre will hold a pre-show discussion event with Michael Glenny's son, the journalist Misha Glenny, and broadcaster Kirsty Lang on Sat 30 Sep at 12.30pm.

Polish director Helena Kaut-Howson, whose adventurous, passionate and imaginative productions have led to her being named one of the most influential directors in the UK, has adapted this bitingly ironic text for the stage. She has spent over 40 years directing theatre in the UK and Europe for leading theatres including the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. This will be Kaut-Howson's first production for the Citizens Theatre.

Of the play, director Helena Kaut-Howson said,"Ruslan is a proud and loyal dog bred and trained to serve according to particular rules. He finds it impossible to adapt when the terms of service become obsolete. This is a tragic fate shared by many who were betrayed by the changing winds of history. The beauty of the story is that it's told from the perspective of the dog, with compassion and humour."

She added, "Today it speaks not only as an indictment of the atrocities of the gulag but also as a warning. The tragic fate of a prison guard dog, stripped of his purpose, struggling and unable to find his place once the camp is shut, reminds us of the devastating effects that sudden change can have on society."

Marcello Magni, co-founder of Complicite theatre company, and one of 'contemporary theatre's greatest clowns' (The Guardian), joins the creative team as Movement Director. Completing the team will be Designer Pawe? Dobrzyckias and Boleslaw Rawski as Composer.

Performed by an ensemble of thirteen actors, the cast includes five past and present Citizens Theatre actor interns: Martin Donaghy (Hamlet, A Christmas Carol, Rum and Vodka, Feverdream: Southside); Camrie Palmer (Blackbird, Rapunzel, Lanark: A Life in Three Acts), Ewan Somers (Travels With My Aunt, Rapunzel, Lot and His God, Lanark: A Life in Three Acts) and new interns for 2017 Sinèad Starkey and Nicolas Ralph.

The cast also includes Hunter Bishop, Paul Brendan, Mark Jax, Isabelle Joss, Max Keeble, Vinta Morgan, Tilda O'Grady, and Pawe Zdun.

Tickets for Citizens Theatre are available from citz.co.uk or by calling 0141 429 0022 and are priced between £12.50 and £23 with a range of concessions available. Bargain hunters can join the queue for 50p tickets for Faithful Ruslan: Story of a Guard Dog when they go on sale at 10am on Saturday 16 September.

IF YOU GO:

A Citizens Theatre, Belgrade Theatre Coventry and KP Productions Ltd. co-production
FAITHFUL RUSLAN: THE STORY OF A GUARD DOG
By Georgi Vladimov
Translated by Michael Glenny
Adapted for the stage by Helena Kaut-Howson

Belgrade Theatre Sat 2 - SAT 16 Sep
Previews: Sat 2 & Mon 4 7.45pm and Tue 5 Sep 7pm
Matinees: Sat 9 & 16 Sep and Thu 14 Sep 2.15pm

Captioned: Wed 13 Sep 7.45pm
Audio Described: Thu 14 Sep 2.15pm

Tickets £12.00 - £14.50 (concessions available)
Previews: £12
*Please note these are discounted online prices. Tickets cost slightly more when booked via box office. Please see the Belgrade Theatre Coventry brochure or contact the Box Office for details.
Box Office: 024 7655 3055 / belgrade.co.uk

Citizens Theatre WED 20 Sep - Sat 7 Oct 7.30pm
Preview: Wed 20 Sep 7.30pm
Matinees: Sat 30 Sep & 7 Oct 2.30pm

BSL Signed: Fri 29 Sep 7.30pm
Audio Described & Captioned: Sat 30 Sep 2.30pm

Tickets £12.50 - £23 (concessions available)
Preview: £10
50p Tickets: 100 50p tickets on sale Sat 16 Sep at 10am
(*Please note a £2 transaction fee applies to all web and telephone bookings)
Box Office: 0141 429 0022 / citz.co.uk

CREATIVE TEAM:

Adaptor and Director Helena Kaut-Howson
Writer Georgi Vladimov
Translator Michael Glenny
Designer Pawe? Dobrzy?ski
Movement Director Marcello Magni
Composer Boles?aw Rawski

CAST: Hunter Bishop, Paul Brendan, Martin Donaghy, Mark Jax, Isabelle Joss, Max Keeble, Vinta Morgan, Tilda O'Grady, Camrie Palmer, Nicolas Ralph, Ewan Somers, Sinèad Starkey, Pawe Zdun

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