REVIEW: VODKA WITH STALIN by Francis Beckett at Upstairs at the Gatehouse15 – 27 October 2024

‘Murder, intrigue and a history lesson – if you need it’ ★★

Rose, a Jewish woman brought up in poverty in East London, is a passionate communist. As the Soviet state is born, she is working as an activist in London alongside Harry, an equally passionate communist, who is deeply in love with her. When she meets one of Lenin’s spy masters, she is drawn into a dangerous world, putting herself and those she loves in peril.

‘Vodka with Stalin’ is based on the true story of Rose Cohen, a British Communist who went to Moscow and became caught up in the intrigues and purges of Stalin’s Russia. This was a fascinating topic for a play, but sadly, Vodka with Stalin was let down by the writing. At a human level, I completely understand writer Francis Beckett’s desire to use all the research he had done, but he sacrificed clear story telling in favour of creating a vehicle for demonstrating all he knew.

The play was at its best during the second half where the characters began to come to life, rather than exist as mouthpieces for Beckett’s knowledge of history. Beckett also needs to trust his audience more. He packs his writing with explanations as if we wouldn’t “get it”, for example repeating things he has already told us.

The actors did the best they could with the material they had, though they were poorly supported by the staging and direction. I love a bare stage, but it needs imaginative use of the space and thought-through ways to create visual story telling to support the script.

The energy of the actors was what kept the audience engaged, so well done to them. There are the bones of a good play in here. It just needs some serious editing and some faith in the intelligence of its audience.

Vodka with Stalin by Francis Beckett, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, 15 – 27 October 2024, https://www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com/

Performers: Silas Hawkins, David Malcolm, Miranda Colemans, Luke McArthur, Jonathan Hansler, Denise O’Leary

Director: Owain Rose

Reviewer: Srabani Sen

Srabani is a theatre actress and playwright. As an actress she has performed at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse (The Globe), the Arcola, Southwark Playhouse, The Pleasance and numerous fringe theatres, in a range of roles from Shakespeare to plays by new and emerging writers. She has written several short and full length plays. Her play Tawaif was longlisted for the ETPEP Finborough award, and her play Vijaya was shortlisted for the Sultan Padamsee Playwrights Award in Mumbai.