It is spring in Moscow and a young writer, plagued by visions of Pontius Pilate, is attempting to stage a production detailing the procurator’s interviews with Christ. But in 1930s Russia, censorship threatens to incinerate creativity and not even the writer’s newfound love, Margarita, can soothe the thoughts of poison. But by chance, there’s a devil in disguise causing havoc at the theatre, and he might be the Master’s only chance at redemption. After all… manuscripts don’t burn. 

Towards the end of his life, Mikhail Bulgakov wrote his seminal novel ‘The Master & Margarita’, a complex work of love, mayhem and political critique. Published posthumously in the 1960s, the novel became a sensation with its biting satire, witty characters and nods to Faust, folktales and faith. Translated the world over, Edward Kemp made the brave decision to adapt the novel to stage in 2004 and it is in that spirit of adventure that the Rondo Theatre Company brings Kemp’s adaptation to the Rondo Theatre this week.

Headed up by director Josie Mae-Ross, ‘The Master & Margarita’ features a cast of sixteen local actors from the Rondo Theatre Company, which has been the community performing arm of the Rondo Theatre since 1982. The company is delighted to welcome several new members to the community in this production, with nearly half the cast joining the Rondo Theatre Company for the first-time. 

“It’s been challenging in all the best ways to bring such a multifaceted piece of theatre to the Rondo stage,” says Mae-Ross. “I mean, in what other production would you be having to figure out decapitations, re-capitations, a human sized cat, time travel and… oh, I’ve added shadow puppets into the madness! Though I don’t think I would have been as fulfilled with anything less than what we’ve created with ‘The Master & Margerita’.”

Audiences who enjoyed last year’s production of ‘Collaborators’ at the Rondo, which followed the story of Bulgakov himself, will love learning more about him as a writer in this deliciously devilish night of theatre. n “‘The Master & Margarita’ will be performed at the Rondo Theatre, St. Saviours Road, Bath BA1 6RT, from Wednesday 26th to Saturday 29th November, 7.30pm. More information and tickets are available on the Rondo website: 

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/rondotheatre/the-master-margarita/e-kjmall

In the spirit of community, the Rondo Theatre Company have continued their tradition of collaborating with a local business on a promotional photoshoot, this time at the Bootlegger Bath.