What could be an enjoyable piece of hokum emerges as something considerably more lethal in Chris Herman's version of Gogol's "Gamblers". Handsome black and red carriages crowd the stage (w-signed by Oleg Sheintsis) as the ever-hopeful Ikharev, who doesn't want 'more money than it would take to run a modest war', lands somewhere in the Russian outback with 80,000 roubles in his pocket and several packs of marked cards. There, lurking in the carriages are three sinister characters who go by the peculiar names of Sauerkraut, Slipper and Our Lady with whom Ikharev agrees to join forces in an attempt to fleece Tim Barlow's wealthy landowner and his reckless son. Just who gets bitten is not for the reviewer to reveal.
Director Dalia Ibelhauptaite's expressionistic production is daringly flamboyant; cards go spiralling across the stage, ever-increasing numbers of champagne bottles are popped open and the carriages squeak and rock with considerable menace. Some of this is overdone and reduces the concentrated tension of the plot; particularly unfortunate is Ibelhauptaite's introduction of a female character as Lady Luck, Ikharev's lucky pack of cards, a thankless pan for a woman despite the bewildering number of costume changes. Also disappointing is Oleg Menshikov who plays Ikharev. Since his dazzling debut in 'When She Danced', he has acquired a knowledge of the English language, but here he is scuppered by a very artificial delivery and a persistent habit of running his hands through his hair as though to draw attention to his beautiful golden locks.
Last Friday, a "Time Out" preview of this production was held for readers, which I also attended. At that performance Mark Rylance as the leader of the gang gave an extraordinarily controlled portrait of sott voce villainy which made the flesh creep. Sadly, timing awry, he was far less spooky on the press night but will recover his form. With his American accent, he appears a strangely rootless character, at his worst when supposedly most trustworthy. Phil Daniels is also deeply unpleasant as the violent Slipper; and Anthony Milner a morose, amusing 'official of the loan government'. This is the dark underbelly of gambling, the ruthless pursuit of power without pity for its victims and it makes for a chilling evening.

Submitted by Jane Grey