Dying For It

Written by Moira Buffini

Based on Nikolai Erdman’s satirical comedy ‘The Suicide’, the adaptation follows the life of Semyon – unemployed, humiliatingly living off the meagre earnings of his wife in the hallway of a cramped apartment.  He further contends with having his mother-in-law, a voyeuristic postman and a tart for neighbours. As his dream of becoming a successful tuba player diminishes, he decides the only decent thing to do is kill himself.  However, as word gets around, he is visited by a number of people urging him to die for their cause.

The multi-level set with four doorways hugged the angular walls of the stage.  One of the dressing room exits was incorporated in the design as well as a large window frame.  Artistic influences included constructivism, communism and the fall of imperialism.

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Costume Period: post-revolutionary Russia, late 1920’s

Description of set: steel deck and treads to create constructivism stairwell.  Free standing window and doors (x 4) with architraves to unify.

Paint effects: communist red with blood-red spatter on stairwell.  Crackle-glaze on door frames, painted cracks on doors and window.

Cast:

• Lauren Bentham
• Okorie Chukwu
• Richard David-Caine
• Toby DeCann
• Paul Delfgou
• Drew Dillon
• Daniel Kendrick
• Sophie Leonard
• Felicity McCormack
• Emma Pilson

Creative Team:

• Director: Georgia Bance
• Designer/scenic artist: Suneeda Maruthiyil
• Lighting Designer: Jen Guerin
• Sound Designer: Simon Dawson
• Stage Manager: Kate Riedler

Production Company:

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts