REVIEW

The Drum, Plymouth

There was just one man, one stage, a minimal set, plus occasional haunting sound effects, yet it was among the most compelling and moving productions I have ever witnessed.

Actor Rad Kaim was beyond outstanding in this first-person monologue telling the story of Ivan Mishukov, the little boy who found friendship and protection living with dogs on the streets of recession-ravaged Moscow in the 1990s. In the simple words of a small child, delivered in authentic accent and with tangible rawness, we heard how in the dead of night Ivan fled the tower block flat he shared with his adored, but weak, mother and violent stepfather; how he endured merciless bullying from other children and played cat and mouse with the authorities. See-sawing from wild happiness to quiet sadness, he painted a vivid picture of being adopted by the dogs and running with the pack. Superb.