57 HOURS IN THE HOUSE OF CULTURE (full-length play)

A dark play that re-imagines the 2002 Moscow theatre siege, where Chechen terrorists seized a theatre and held hundreds hostage until Russian authorities gassed everyone. Audience members are held in the lobby, while “soldiers” guard the doors. At showtime, the doors open and patrons enter to find the theatre swirling with poison gas (presumably, you’ll use dry ice), seats overturned, and dead bodies strewn...
A dark play that re-imagines the 2002 Moscow theatre siege, where Chechen terrorists seized a theatre and held hundreds hostage until Russian authorities gassed everyone. Audience members are held in the lobby, while “soldiers” guard the doors. At showtime, the doors open and patrons enter to find the theatre swirling with poison gas (presumably, you’ll use dry ice), seats overturned, and dead bodies strewn about, while a broadcast announcement plays about the end of the hostage drama. When everyone is seated, the dead bodies come to life, as theatre ghosts, re-telling the tale. Cast: Eight main cast members — three male, four female, one non-gender — plus two male soldiers – plus five to seven audience members who are enlisted. And some voices, which can be recorded. Running time: One and a half, no intermission.

Note: This was produced at Studio Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia in 2012. You can find photos and video from that production on www.dwayneyancey.com.
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57 HOURS IN THE HOUSE OF CULTURE (full-length play)

Recommended by

  • Kenley Smith:
    30 May. 2018
    This is probably my favorite Yancey play. High stakes, rich characters, an immersive theatre environment -- what's not to like? You certainly don't need to know recent Russian history to appreciate this effort. Be sure to give it a look.

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, Virginia
    ,
    2016

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    Studio Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia
    ,
    2012