Holy Fool play explores Shostakovich's life under Stalin
The musical history, running at Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, depicts the composer's struggles with Soviet state taste.
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The musical history 'Holy Fool', written by Rosalind Adler and Lea Sellers, explores the life of composer Dimitri Shostakovich during Joseph Stalin's rule. The play begins backstage at the Bolshoi Theatre in 1934, during the premiere of Shostakovich's opera 'Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk'. The opera is met with acclaim, but the young composer faces dread when he learns Stalin is in the audience, aware that any disapproval could lead to severe consequences.
Artistic Freedom Under Threat
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The narrative highlights the precarious balance Shostakovich had to maintain between artistic expression and the demands of Soviet state taste. The play stages the composer's interrogation after Stalin walks out of the performance, depicting the threat of arrest, disappearance, and torture. The production, directed by Kate Fahy, uses a single spotlight and off-stage whispers to convey this atmosphere of menace. Shostakovich is released when his interrogator is himself arrested.
Benjamin O’Mahony portrays Shostakovich as a tormented figure, attempting to avoid political persecution while continuing to compose. Jenna Augen plays his wife, Nina, who is described as supportive and loving, noting Shostakovich's 'coded musical passages'. The play also references the 900-day Siege of Leningrad and the broadcast of Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony, punctuating episodes of hardship with moments of triumph, including the death of Stalin.
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While the play presents a series of staged scenes, the review suggests that some areas could have been expanded, such as Nina's professional life as a physicist. The production concludes with a shift to Technicolour Kansas. 'Holy Fool' is currently running at Park Theatre in Finsbury Park and will continue until October 10th.
Questions this report answers
+What is the play 'Holy Fool' about?
The play 'Holy Fool' by Rosalind Adler and Lea Sellers depicts the life of composer Dimitri Shostakovich under Stalin's rule in the Soviet Union. It opens backstage at the Bolshoi Theatre in 1934 and explores the composer's struggles with artistic freedom and state censorship.
+Who are the main actors in 'Holy Fool'?
Benjamin O’Mahony plays the composer Dimitri Shostakovich in 'Holy Fool'. Jenna Augen plays his wife, Nina. The play is directed by Kate Fahy.
+Where and until when can I see 'Holy Fool'?
'Holy Fool' is running at Park Theatre in Finsbury Park. The production is scheduled to continue until October 10th.
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