The Gambler - The Coronet Theatre - Review

"'Write what you know' is a familiar maxim for novelists. Perhaps this is why, when Dostoevsky was faced with the challenge of writing a novel within 30 days, he wrote The Gambler. He, too, like his protagonist, was addicted to roulette and was no stranger to debt. In fact, the novel writing wager was a high-stakes venture. If he failed,"

"the publishing rights of all his past and future books would pass to his editor, from whom he had previously borrowed money. Dostoevsky's works began to be translated into Japanese in the late 19th century and have been popular in Japan. Kyoto-based Chiten Theatre has brought a Japanese adaptation of The Gambler to The Coronet Theatre, performed in Japanese with English surtitles."

"Theatre audiences attend The Coronet Theatre in Notting Hill knowing that the production will likely be novel or experimental. This performance of The Gambler was quite unlike anything I have seen on stage. Led by director Motoi Miura, the text was broken down into fragments of the story written by Dostoevsky and then woven together in a way that is recognisable to those who are familiar with the novel, and perhaps confusing at times for those who have not."

"The story relates the collapse into addiction of a young Russian man, Alexi (Takahide Akimoto), who is tutor to the children of a widowed General (Masaya Kishimoto). He is obsessed with the General's stepdaughter, Polina (Midori Aioi), who is in some sort of relationship with a rich man, de Grieux (Dai Ishida), who has lent the General money he cannot repay. De Grieux impatiently awaits repayment. The General is, in turn, obsessed with a young French woman, Mlle Blanche (Shie Kubota), who is only interested"

Dostoevsky wrote The Gambler within 30 days while addicted to roulette and indebted, risking the publishing rights to his works if he failed. His works began to be translated into Japanese in the late 19th century and have remained popular in Japan. Kyoto-based Chiten Theatre presented a Japanese-language adaptation of The Gambler at The Coronet Theatre in Notting Hill, performed with English surtitles. Director Motoi Miura fragmented Dostoevsky's text and wove the pieces into an experimental staging. The narrative follows Alexi's descent into gambling addiction, his obsession with Polina, de Grieux's loan to the General, and a casino-centered season in a German town.

Read at London Unattached