Patriots

By Peter Morgan
Originally produced at Almeida Theatre, London, England 
July 2 to August 20, 2022.

Synopsis: 1991. The Fall of the Soviet Union. With the dawning of a new Russia, there are winners and losers, and today’s patriot can fast become tomorrow’s traitor. As a new generation of oligarchs fights to seize control, Patriots follows billionaire businessman Boris Berezovsky from the president's inner circle to public enemy number one. BAFTA-winning actor Tom Hollander (The Night Manager, Travesties) gives “one of the performances of the year” (Independent) as Berezovsky, the ‘kingmaker’ behind Vladimir Putin. A new play from Peter Morgan (Netflix's The Crown, Frost/Nixon) and directed by Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold (Ink, Spring Awakening), Patriots is an unflinching story of ambition and the dangers of loyalty and love.

Artistic Statement: Peter (Morgan) and I have been developing the play over the last few years, during which time Russia’s position on the world stage has increasingly been brought into question. What better time to stage a production about the fallout from the collapse of the Soviet Union and, while not directly touching on the present crisis in Ukraine, the play does provide something of an origin story how we have got to where we are today. We’re delighted that after a hugely successful run at the Almeida, our play has a future life in London’s West End to reach even more audiences. - Rupert Goold, Artistic Director

Grant Statement: The grant received from the Edgerton Foundation new play awards, gave us the comfort of an additional two weeks rehearsal period, which is vital when incubating significant pieces of new work, such as Patriots. New plays are more expensive to produce, take more time to create and only truly comes to life once the actors are in the rehearsal room. The luxury of additional, financially supported, rehearsal time meant that Patriots was in the best place possible when it reached our stage – and we are incredibly proud of this production, both at the Almeida its legacy in London’s West End.



Writer Peter Morgan
Director Rupert Goold
Set Designer Miriam Buether
Co-Costume Designers Deborah Andrews and Miriam Buether
Lighting Designer Jack Knowles
Sound Designer and Composer Adam Cork 
Movement Director Polly Bennett
Casting Director Robert Sterne CDG


Cast

Matt ConcannonStephen FewellRonald GuttmanAoife HindsTom HollanderWill KeenYolanda KettleSean KingsleyPaul KynmanJessica TempleLuke ThallonJamael Westman