Destroy Solzhenitsyn, a new play by Malaysian-Australian playwright John Joofor Lee, premiered at the Gasworks Theatre in South Melbourne for the 2015 Melbourne Fringe Festival. It’s an insightful piece of theatre from Nice Productions.
This play is spans the lifetime of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Russian author and political dissident, from the origins of his opposition to Soviet politics, to his uncomfortable exile in the West and ultimate return to Russia, as well as his death and 21st century legacy.
The story of Solzhenitsyn’s life is reported by the writer himself: an aged Solzhenitsyn (Andy Barons) who has already published The Gulag Archipelago and is living in the United States with his second wife, Alya (Nicola Jayne). In the West, his ideas remain controversial: as a critic of Stalinism, he cannot ignore the soul-destroying false freedom that unrestrained capitalism represents either. As a result, his safety and that of his family is uncertain and he faces opposition from friends and enemies alike. The character of Solzhenitsyn demands a lot from his audience; his strict adherence to a personal moral code requires great sacrifices. In this way, he is reminiscent of Thomas More, in Robert Bolt’s A Man for All Seasons. But the character of Solzhenitsyn lacks much of More’s warmth and seems to be a man for the Siberian winter only.
From a historical perspective this production is commendable: the life of Solzhenitsyn is a worthy subject. It may one that is unfamiliar to younger audiences, who are more familiar with the political dissidents of the digital age, like Edward Snowden. Lee’s observation that Solzhenitsyn’s writing is unfashionable in the 21st century is accurate, but his assessment that this is because this generation has become too comfortable, seduced by capitalism, is harsh. When Solzhenitsyn encouters a 21st century woman, she dismisses him and his writing: in “the age of the antihero” do-gooders like Solzhenitsyn are uncool. But perhaps it is bit unfair of Lee to dismiss an entire generation because they have not read The Gulag Archipelago. Communism is no longer the looming spectre it once was and the advent of the 21st century has brought with it new geopolitical challenges.
The production overall is well directed by Vlady T and there are only a few weak points. Not all members of the cast are confident with the Russian accents and Barons’ frequently slips into Scottish and pirate. However Connor Bashford and Nichola Jayne are very convincing and both give excellent performances. The costuming and set design by Stephen Browse is well concieved and visually the production quite polished.
Destroy Solzhenitsyn is a fine tribute to one of the most important writers of the 20th century. It’s certainly worth checking out if you’re a Russian history buff, however audiences should note that the historical photographs shown during the production include some disturbing images.
Destroy Solzhenitsyn is playing at Gasworks; the Clover Club, 21 Graham St, Albert Park from 22nd September to 3rd October, 8.30pm. Tickets $27, $23, $12 (Tuesday)
