Belka Productions to Present SUNSTROKE at the Platform Theatre, Aug 28-Sept 1

Belka Productions present the world premiere and first UK adaptation of Chekhov's The Lady With the Little Dog and Sunstroke by Bunin in London's newest off-West End theatre. SUNSTROKE, adapted from the stories of Anton Chekhov & Ivan Bunin, will open 30 August 2013 at 7.30pm.

The creative team behind last year's acclaimed A Warsaw Melody at the Arcola Theatre return with a new adaptation that brings together two short stories from Russian literature, which will star Katia Elizarova in her London stage debut.

Director Oleg Mirochnikov, the London based Russian director who is recognised as Hollywood's leading Russian voice coach and whose credits include World War Z and X Men teams up once again with movement director Liana Nyquist who is Head of Movement at Drama Centre, London. Together, they have trained the current generation of British actors including Michael Fassbender, Colin Firth, Paul Bettany and Tom Hardy.

Directed by Mirochnikov, the creative team also includes Associate Director Sophia Stocco, Designer Agnes Treplin, Lighting Designer Howard Hudson, Sound Designer Michael Umney, Projection Designer Simon Eves, and animation by Dr Birgitta Hosea. The cast also features Rosy Benjamin, Oliver King and Stephen Pucci.

SUNSTROKE: A blisteringly hot Russian summer. A Muscovite banker meets a solitary married woman on the Russian Riviera and a dashing lieutenant on board a holiday steamer down the Volga has a chance encounter with a beautiful young woman. In the intoxicating heat, passions burn high and their lives are changed forever. Two of the great masters of Russian literature, Anton Chekhov and Ivan Bunin, explore the bittersweet nature of love outside marriage, its romantic idealism and the painful realisation of irreversible loss.

This will be will be the first UK adaptation of Chekhov's short story, The Lady with the Little Dog, and Sunstroke by Ivan Bunin. The production will combine the two short stories into one play.

Rosy Benjamin's credits include the West End musical Backbeat. Oliver King's recent credits include A Warsaw Melody (Arcola) and the upcoming Billy Budd (Southwark Playhouse). Stephen Pucci's recent credits include The Pilgrim's Progress (ENO) and dreamthinkspeak's Absent (ROH). Katia Elizarova is a celebrated international model from Russia who lives in London. She has worked with the world's leading photographers and as a face of major brands including, Rimmel, Commes des Garçons, Chanel, Valentino, Versace, and Max Studio. Previously, Katia has played female-lead and narrator in award-winning Russian mini-feature music video ???? by ????????? ?????? ("Sky" by Diskoteka Avariya). This will be her London stage debut.

The Platform Theatre is a brand new venue in the stunning Granary building, Kings Cross and SUNSTROKE is one of the first professional shows to occupy the theatre for a full-length London run. The building is home to Drama Centre, one of the UK's leading drama schools and which is part of Central St Martins, University of the Arts London.

PLATFORM THEATRE is located at the Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London, Handyside Street, King's Cross, London N1C 4AA. Dates: 28 August - 21 September 2013. Times: Mon-Sat at 7.30pm, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 3.30pm. Tickets: £10-£16. Box office: 020 8123 1604 / ONLINE BOOKING: www.belkaproductions.co.uk/productions/.

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