Moscow, 1938. A dangerous place to have a sense of humour; even more so a sense of freedom. Mikhail Bulgakov, 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.
Killing my enemies is easy. The challenge is to change the way they think, to control their minds. And I think I controlled yours pretty well. In years to come, I’ll be able to say: Bulgakov? Yeah, we even trained him. He gave up. He saw the light. We broke him, we can break anybody. It’s man versus monster, Mikhail. And the monster always wins.
John Hodge’s blistering new play 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.
Following its successful run in the Cottesloe Theatre, Collaborators is transferring to the Olivier Theatre on April 30 for a limited run.
Jacqueline Defferary, who appeared in the National Theatre's production of "Collaborators," has an extensive theatre background including performances in "Welcome to Thebes" and "Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick," as well as notable roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company in "The Rivals" and "The Comedy of Errors." more...
Jess Murphy, who graced the West End stage in "War Horse," has an extensive theatre background including notable performances in "Amadeus" and "Blood Wedding." more...
Nick Sampson, who graced the stage in the National Theatre's production of "Collaborators" at both the Cottesloe and Olivier theatres, boasts an impressive resume with roles in "Timon of Athens," "Hamlet," and "The Madness of George III," among many others. more...
William Postlethwaite, who previously graced the stage in the National Theatre's production of "Collaborators," has also showcased his talent in "As You Like It." more...
Simon Russell Beale, who starred in "Collaborators" at the Cottesloe and Olivier theatres, boasts an illustrious career with the National Theatre, including award-winning performances in "Hamlet" and "Candide." more...
Michael Jenn, who has an extensive theatre background including a performance in the National Theatre's production of "Collaborators," has also appeared in numerous television series such as "The Hour" and "Merlin," and films like "Sherlock Holmes" and "Quills." more...
Pierce Reid, who previously graced the stage in the National Theatre's production of "Collaborators," has an extensive theatre background, including roles in "King Lear" and "Twelfth Night." more...
Awards and Nominations
2012 Evening Standard Awards
Best Actor: Simon Russell Beale won.
Production Team
Paul Ardiitti Sound Designer
Jon Clark Lighting Designer
Bob Crowley Designer
Nicholas Hytner Director
Terry King Fight Director
Jack Murphy Movement Director
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