Worship at the temple of the roulette wheel
The Alexandrinsky Theater from Russia will stage “Zero Liturgy,” a drama based on one of the most popular works by Fyodor Dostoyevsky — “The Gambler.”
It tells a story of a young tutor mired in a spiral of gambling debts. His intense addiction is accentuated by his affair with his employer’s cruel yet seductive niece, Polina.
Dostoevsky’s original novel reflected his own addiction to roulette, which gave him inspiration for the book. Dostoevsky completed the novel under a strict deadline to pay off his own gambling debts. It is the author’s most autobiographical work.
The artistic career of Valery Fokin, director of the drama, is also connected to Dostoevsky. In 1968 Fokin directed his graduation performance based on the writer’s “Another Man’s Wife and a Husband under the Bed.” Later he used the “Notes from the Underground” and the “Bobok” pieces.
The topic of gambling which enslaves human souls and makes people give up all the best in them is the key topic of the entire performance. It also features exquisite sets and costumes.
The celebrated Alexandrinsky Theater has a history of 263 years.
Info
Date: April 26-28, 7:30pm
Tickets: 100-500 yuan
Tel: 3636-8807
Venue: Daning Theater
Address: 1222 Pingxingguan Rd
