A VERY EXPENSIVE POISON

To turn the truth into justice – which I’m sorry to say are not the same thing – one has to tell the story.

PRODUCTION DETAILS

Season dates: 15 Aug-16 Sept, 2023 - New Theatre
Playwright: Lucy Prebble
Director: Margaret Thanos
Movement/Intimacy Director: Diana Paola Alvarado
Assistant Director: Jess Zlotnick
Cast: Matt Abotomey, Richard Cox, Ben Dewstow, Eliva, Angus Evans, Hannah Forsyth, Tom Hanaee, Amelie James-Power, Madeleine Kunstler, Tasha O’Brien, Ewan Peddley, Mason Phourimath, Diego Retamales, Chloe Schwank and Cath Young
Lighting Design: Jas Borsovszky
Sound Design/Composer: Sam Cheng
Assistant Sound and Lighting: Paris
Set and Costume Design: Aloma Barnes
Assistant Set and Costume: Sabry Beshir Mohamed
Accent Coach: Felicity Jurd
Singing Coach: Georgia Condon
Fight Choreography: Diego Retamales
Stage Manager: Lulu Barkell
Assistant Stage Manager: Astra Milne
Producers: New Theatre, Newtown

synopsis

London, 2006. A brazen political assassination is carried out in broad daylight. Alexander Litvinenko, a former FSB officer, drinks green tea laced with radioactive poison.

Subsequent investigations uncover a conspiracy generated from the very heart of the Russian government, and a murder probably approved by President Vladimir Putin.

In this award-winning play, based on the facts as laid out by the investigative journalist Luke Harding in his book of the same name, acclaimed writer Lucy Prebble (Succession, Enron) tells a complex story of espionage and mystery.

On a whirlwind journey from Moscow to Mayfair, it follows Litvinenko as he investigates his own death, and his wife Marina’s quest for justice, in the face of Russian corruption and British vacillation.

With a dazzling mix of vaudeville, thriller, romance and tragedy, the play deep-dives into the terrifying world of the new Cold War.

Vladimir Putin (played with creepy clownish relish by Tasha O'Brien) ★★★★½ Sydney Theatre Reviews

Tasha O’Brien has a challenging part as a malevolently impish Putin who swings on and off stage, with insults and justifications like Francis Underwood used to do in House of Cards. She pulls it off though which reminds us yet again of the dangers of political complacency ★★★★ Theatre Thoughts

when Tasha O’Brien appears as Vladimir Putin, the action kicks up a notch: there’s a new sense of playfulness that gives way to danger ★★★ Sydney Morning Herald

O’Brien plays Putin equally brilliantly, hamming up the comedy for laughs and speaking with such passion that you almost believe she is the Russian president, with his wicked asides and monologues. Her timing and comedy makes her a standout, and the performer that everyone was talking about post-show ★★★ State of the Art

played with juicy satire by Tasha O’Brien…the monologue asides – delivered memorably by O’Brien as Putin – are acutely resonant, and with Putin-esque theatricality, they do distract with effect ★★★ Limelight

Putin is played brilliantly by Tasha O’Brien. She (Putin) sits in the frame of one of the set’s curves, discussing Litvinenko’s report on the corruption in the government agencies. The naïve Litvinenko believes his report will result in action. The only action Putin takes is to let the billionaire oligarchs continue to rule. This scene is the best in the play ★★★ Sydney Arts Guide

Tasha O’Brien plays the divisive role of Putin. Her comedic timing and physical comedy make her a standout in this performance. She is cheeky, sassy and at times downright terrifying. O’Brien addresses the audience in a monologue that is as heartbreaking as it is thought provoking Theatre Travels

Tasha O’Brien as Putin is absolutely marvellous; she gloriously embraces the comic possibilities of the role while simultaneously presenting a character whose personal awkwardness and deep mistrust make a truly dangerous enemy Theatre Red

this play sets a high standard for entertaining truth-telling of historical events…it is not a ‘should see’, it’s a ‘must see’ The Blurb

this is an intriguing and ultimately very moving story performed by a capable troupe of actors (and singers and dancers) City Hub