Patriots

 Patriots
Ethel Barrymore Theatre
April 13, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Patriots

The Almeida Theatre production of Peter  Morgan’s play, Patriots, is mind blowing.  The writing is superb.  The cast is outstanding.  Director Rupert Goold keeps the action tight and concise, making the complicated story of Putin’s rise to power dramatic and accessible. 

Boris Berezovsky (played by Michael Stuhlbarg) is a wealthy and powerful businessman in Russia.  During this time, Boris Yeltsin (played by Paul Kynman) is president.  Russia was taking on a more democratic form of government, and large corporations had a strong influence.  Capitalism was on the rise, improving Russia’s presence in Europe and the west.  Berezovsky bought the national television station, and controls all new broadcasts.  After an attempt on his life, he becomes connected with Alexander Litvinenko (played by Alex Hurt), the government agent investigating the car bombing.  Berezovsky offers him a job as his personal security.  Out of loyalty to his country, Litvinenko refuses.  Roman Abramovich (played by Luke Thallon) approaches Berezovsky with a business proposition, promising a guaranteed increase in Berezovsky’s wealth and power.  When the government instructs Litvinenko to take out Berezovsky, he resigns his position and goes public with the plot.  

Michael Stuhlbarg as Boris Berevosky
Photo courtesy of Patriots

Boris Yeltsin is re-elected president, and Berezovsky uses his influence to have someone he considers weak and controllable appointed as Prime Minister.  This man is Vladimir Putin (played by Will Keen).  When Yeltsin resigns, he appoints Putin to take his place.  Thinking they have their puppet in place, Berezovsky and his colleagues are content.  Putin wastes no time turning the tables on them all.  After Berezovsky broadcasts a truthful news story that makes Putin look bad, the tension rises between the two men.  Berezovsky leaves the country, joining Litvinenko in England, seeking political asylum.  They do what they can to start a new political party and remove Putin from power, but they no longer have influence. 

Will Keen as Vladimir Putin
Photo courtesy fo Patriots

The structure of this play is remarkable.  Playwright Peter Morgan sets up Boris Berezovsky as a wealthy oligarch, only interested in himself, his position, and his financial gain.  He is arrogant and disliked.  The villain.  Vladimir Putin is a weakling.  The underdog.  In Act II, Putin rapidly become the villain, and Berezovsky, who tries to take him down, becomes the sympathetic hero.  The dramatic action of the play revolves around the conflict between these two characters, and Michael Stuhlbarg and Will Keen are phenomenal.  Mr. Stuhlbarg commands the stage, continually making demands, and spouting threats.  He pointedly sets the tone and pace.  Will Keen masterfully portrays the transformation of Putin from a meek “yes man” to a decisive leader.  He takes the tone and pace set by Mr. Stuhlbarg and focuses it with laser beam precision.  

Alex Hurt as Alexander Litvinenko
Photo courtesy fo Patriots

There are equally strong performance by Luke Thallon (Roman Abramovich), Alex Hurt (Alexander Litvinenko), Ronald Guttman (Professor Perelman, Berezovsky’s teacher), and Stella Baker (Marina Litvinenko).  These characters all have very specific intentions at the start of the story.   As Putin takes control, their needs shift.  These actors skillfully and truthfully portray this stoic transformation with grit and caution.  

Patriots is playing for a limited engagement at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.  It is a powerful play, excellently directed, and stunningly performed.  You must see it!  

Domenick Danza