Making Stalin Laugh

In the 1920s, the Moscow State Yiddish Theatre was one of the most respected theatre companies in the world. Chagall designed for them, Prokofiev, Stanislavski and Eugene O'Neill all saluted them. By 1952, the surviving members of the troupe had all been purged by Stalin, executed on the same day in August.

Making Stalin Laugh tells their story, with, at its centre, the most celebrated Yiddish actor of his generation, Solomon Mikhoels. It's a hilariously funny, exhilarating and moving account of a group of flawed but talented individuals swimming against the tide of history and still managing to live, love and steal each other's laughs on-stage.

Written by David Schneider
Directed by Matthew Lloyd

Cast:
Mikhoels - Darrell D'Silva
Nina - Sandy McDade
Isaac - Jonah Russell
Eda/Assia - Holly Augustine
Esther - Beverley Klein
Litvakov/Weizman/NKVD man et al - Russell Bentley
Zuskin - James Holmes

Production:
Lighting Designer - Jason Taylor
Sound Designer - John Leonard
Set Designer – Emma Bailey
Costume Designer - Grace Nicholas
Stage Manager - Adam Burns
Stage Manager - Hannah Turner

Dates:

Monday 23 June at 19:30
Tuesday 24 June at 19:30
Wednesday 25 June at 19:30
Thursday 26 June at 19:30
Monday 30 June at 19:30
Tuesday 1 July at 19:30
Thursday 3 July at 19:30
Sunday 6 July at 14:00
Monday 7 July at 19:30
Tuesday 8 July at 19:30
Wednesday 9 July at 19:30