Boris Godunov - The Lowry - 28/04/08 by Jo Beggs

Cheek by Jowl’s Director, Declan Donnellan is not afraid of a challenge. In 2000 he formed a company of actors in Moscow with the support of the Chekhov Festival. He and Designer Nick Ormerod took with them their passion for reinterpretation of classic texts, so no wonder this Russian language production of Boris Godunov was born.

Like a Shakespeare history play, Pushkin’s epic tale is shrouded in politics and monarchy but at its heart are the jealousies and desires of humankind. Boris Godunov has ascended to the position of Czar by dubious means. Crowned in 1598, he’s ruled for just a few years when he finds himself dissatisfied by his position - and what’s more a young pretender appears on the scene, claiming to be the rightful heir. He and his supporters wage a brutal campaign against Boris and his young son Feodor.

The production opens with a Russian Orthodox ceremony. The darkened space is filled with billowing incense, rhythmic chant and ritual as priests and monks, shrouded in black, methodically pace the stage, religious rites which are a far cry from the chaos in Russia at the end of the Ryurik Dynasty in which the play is set. A moment of calm amidst a society spiralling into a state of anarchy.

The play is performed on a catwalk-like traverse stage. Although creating an immersive experience for the audience, the height and length of the stage are at times problematic in terms of visibility. Periodically actors block the view of the surtitle screens, at other times they are so far away from them that it’s hard to follow the text and the action – especially given that it’s pretty complicated.

Time spent worrying that you’re missing a key element of the story is distracting, in fact downright frustrating. So the production comes into its own when the narrative slows and the visual elements can be better appreciated. For there is much to appreciate. Ormerod’s design is simple and effective, beautifully lit by Judith Greenwood, creating intimate spaces for the action to take place.

There is something satisfying about seeing drama in its original language. Although I find it hard to identify quite what, I feel that Russian actors bring something British actors lack. I won’t go on about some woolly concept of the fiery nature of the Russian soul but I’ve a sneaking suspicion that there might be something in it.

Three years ago I saw the Maly Drama Theatre of St Petersburg’s production of Uncle Vanya at the Lowry. I have never really got on with Chekhov but this 2005 production, emotional and exhausting, gave me an insight into how it should really leave you feeling. Cheek by Jowl’s Boris Godunuv has the same quality, a driving and emotive energy which makes two hours and ten minutes without an interval feel like reading some great epic novel in one sitting – a very satisfying and affecting experience.