Red Bus Londinium Life

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Patriots returns to the West End, playing at the Noel Coward Theatre.

Patriots, through the lens of a key set of oligarchs takes us through the 1991 collapse of Russia. Some win, some lose in this massive jostling for reward and the play follows Boris Berezovsky in his fall from grace and ultimate exile.

Will Keen returns as Vladimir Putin, a role for which he won a best-supporting actor Olivier in the original run at the Almeida. BAFTA-winning Tom Hollander (The Night Manager, Travesties) also reprises his starring role as Berezovsky, the ‘kingmaker’.

Miriam Buether’s stark and scarlet design echoes the colours of Russia but also its vastness. It enables the actors to portray both physical and emotional distance.

Under Adam Cork’s musical direction, the play begins with a Russian folk song and this love of Russia as a place is touched on throughout the play, with Berezovsky claiming all he does is for the love of Russia (and not the lining of his own pockets).

This is a powerful play which gives a glimpse of insight into the minds of the men at the heart of Russia’s new form. With Putin’s role in Ukraine ever-present, it takes on a larger importance.

Have you seen Patriots? Let me know your thoughts below.