SYNOPSIS
The White Guard – Lyttelton National Theatre
Almost 85 years ago, a Soviet novelist sat down to pen a new work that would capture the struggle of a White Army officer’s family during Russia’s Civil War in Kiev. It would highlight the real enemies of a new world and the fear and loneliness individuals faced whilst on the brink of change.
Mikhail Bulgakov’s classic story set within the Russian Civil War arrives at the Lyttelton National Theatre this March in a new version from Andrew Upton. It makes up part of the recently announced 2010 season at the venue, which will see a range of anticipated works appearing on its three stages: the Olivier, the Lyttelton and the Cottesloe.
“The White Guard” focuses on the Turbin household during the upheaval of Russia’s Civil War, where the beautiful Lena watches in horror as her brothers prepare to head out and fight on the side of the White Guard whilst friends take to the streets and make the chaos harder to handle, with love, destruction, drunkenness and music all in the air. But as Kiev changes with the new regime ready to take its mantle, the Turbin household could become a very different place – in fact the world that they hold closest to their heart could soon be about to crumble.
Bulgakov penned many great novels and plays during his time. Hailing from Kiev, he was born in 1891 and became best known for his fantasy work “The Master and Margarita”, which went down as one of the greatest works of fiction in the 20th century. His work has had an effect on modern culture as well, with Stalin banning a play he wrote about the man himself and enjoying the play “Days of the Turbins”, which was based on the novel “The White Guard” – his first piece of prose. But after becoming a fan of H.G Wells, he would turn his attention to Science Fiction and Fantasy, with the stories “Heart of a Dog” and “The Fatal Eggs”. These tales would cement Bulgakov’s status as a revolutionary writer and his influence continues to be felt even to this day.
“The White Guard” is rarely performed on the stage, making this an anticipated treat for potential audiences of the National Theatre in 2010. Andrew Upton’s new version promises to be something special – offering a passionate interpretation of a classic work.
“The White Guard” is at the Lyttelton National Theatre from Tuesday 23rd March 2010 (previews from Monday 15th March 2010) to Monday 12th April 2010.
