Moscow, 1938. A dangerous place to have a sense of humour; even more so a sense of freedom.
Mikhail Bulgakov (best known for his novel The Master and Margarita), living among dissidents, stalked by secret police, has both. And then he’s offered a poisoned chalice: a commission to write a play about Stalin to celebrate his sixtieth birthday. Inspired by historical fact, Collaborators embarks on a surreal journey into the fevered imagination of the writer as he loses himself in a macabre and disturbingly funny relationship with the omnipotent subject of his drama.
Collaborators is a blistering new play by John Hodge (screenwriter of Trainspotting, Shallow Grave and The Beach), that depicts a lethal game of cat and mouse through which the appalling compromises and humiliations inflicted on any artist by those with power are held up to scrutiny. Alex Jennings (The Habit of Art) will play Bulgakov and Simon Russell Beale (London Assurance) will play Stalin.
This performance will be certificated “As Live” and the content has not been viewed by the BBFC. There is no official age restriction but Cornerhouse recommends certificate 12A.