When Russia and Britain Reached Entente
“Yes! And the Red army is at this very moment, fighting all alone in Europe. While you play sand pits in North Africa and cringe behind your English white cliffs.”
Stalin
It is August 1942 and Hitler’s army is trying to take Stalingrad. In Moscow the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Roger Allam) has come to meet Joseph Stalin (Peter Forbes) in the Kremlin in Moscow. We can hear a military band playing and see the sunburst pattern on the floor. There are two translators, women in uniform, Sally (Jo Herbert) in WAAF uniform and Olga (Elizabeth Snegir) in Russian army uniform. Stalin needs help with supplies for his troops and Churchill’s troops are fully extended and fighting in North Africa after naval losses.
Both men are suspicious of each other: Stalin from peasant stock in Georgia has a non-Moscow accent and is a Bolshevik, anti-Bourgeoisie, seeing Churchill as the descendant of a long line of aristocrats and defending the British imperialists. As neither man is fluent in the other’s language, they need their translators to interpret the Russian and the English. I always enjoy Howard Brenton’s history and political plays for his meticulous research, wit and the humanity of his characters.
Both men are suspicious of each other: Stalin from peasant stock in Georgia has a non-Moscow accent and is a Bolshevik, anti-Bourgeoisie, seeing Churchill as the descendant of a long line of aristocrats and defending the British imperialists. As neither man is fluent in the other’s language, they need their translators to interpret the Russian and the English. I always enjoy Howard Brenton’s history and political plays for his meticulous research, wit and the humanity of his characters.
Both leaders fear that either side may make peace with the Germans or the “Narsies” as Churchill calls them and leave them isolated. The British delegation is accompanied by the ambassador Archie Clark Kerr (the excellent Alan Cox) a typically diplomatic diplomat. The Russians have their foreign minister, Commissar Vyacheslav Molotov, he of cocktail missile fame, (Julius D’Silva) who speaks and understands English perfectly but refuses to use it and seems more aggressor than diplomat.
The British delegation return to their overnight quarters in Stalin’s personal Dacha No 7 in Moscow with its imposing copper modern chandelier which probably houses secret microphones. Everything they say is being listened to and acted upon. Out of doors they remark that even the trees are bugged. It is full summer and the water in the radiators appears to be boiling. Later in the Kremlin we see basin taps made of gold.
Both Stalin and Churchill only pretend to drink alcohol early in the evening to keep their heads clear for negotiations. The translators described as “language windows” are briefed to minimise any rancour in the pursuit of entente. Tom Littler again shows his skill as a director in making this play really enjoyable and Brenton’s witty ripostes ensure we laugh as well as learn. And of course the Orange Tree is a lovely space for close up plays drawing you in.
I was blown away when I first saw Allam as Churchill, the balding wig is magnificent and imperceptible and his Churchillian intonation is perfect. These are two great performances recalling a significant moment in the Second World War. If Russia had collapsed, there is no doubt that Britain would have been next on Hitler’s acquisition list.
The introduction of Svetlana (Tamara Greatrex) Stalin’s daughter allows us to see how oppressive life in the Kremlin is and the future of both empires. In a final scene, having agreed the essentials we see Stalin and Churchill hilariously both the worse for wear for alcohol and the British Ambassador with a tummy upset near the gold taps. Stalin and Churchill resort to miming as the translators have departed. Isn’t it incredible how great writing, good direction and amazing performance can enliven a potentially wordy subject? Miss Churchill in Moscow at your peril!
Editor of TheatreVibe.co.uk
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Production Notes
Churchill in Moscow
Written by Howard Brenton
Directed by Tom Littler
Cast
Starring:
Roger Allam
Jo Herbert
Alan Cox
Julius D’Silva
Peter Forbes
Elisabeth Snegir
Tamara Greatrex
Creatives
Director: Tom Littler
Designer: Cat Fuller
Lighting Designer: Johanna Town
Sound Designer: Max Pappenheim
Movement: Julia Cave
Information
Running Time: Two hours 15 minutes with an interval
Booking until 8th March 2025
Screening 11th to 14th March 2025
Theatre:
Orange Tree Theatre
Rail/Tube: Richmond
Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge
at the Orange Tree
on 11th February 2025
