The Just Assassins: New Times, Old Terrorists
Written by Albert Camus, Directed by Allegra Libonati
The Just Assassins is a dramatization of the 1905 assassination of Grand Duke Serge in Moscow, one of the events that precipitated WWI. The play is enacted from the point of view of the revolutionaries, as they each struggle to rationalize and cope with the idea that perhaps murder is necessary to achieve a more liberated Russia.
But is that murder justified, or will it merely replace one type of violence with another?
The play was written in 1949, and translated from the French. Duke Sergei was the uncle of Tsar Nicholas II, and his assassination is considered the first act of retaliation that spawned the 1905 Russian Revolution (which eventually failed). Sergei was murdered by 23-year old Ivan Kaliayev, the protagonist of the play. Most scholars believe that all of the characters in the play are based on real people and true events.
The Just Assassins performed at the UNDER St. Mark's Theater in the winter of 2004. The show recieved some publicity, yet the overall success of the show was weighted more heavily in its intentions. Certainly the most politically charged play the company ever produced. It is also worth noting that the play opened before elections, and had a very contraversial edge (which reviewers made a point of mentioning).
Written by Albert Camus, Directed by Allegra Libonati
The Just Assassins is a dramatization of the 1905 assassination of Grand Duke Serge in Moscow, one of the events that precipitated WWI. The play is enacted from the point of view of the revolutionaries, as they each struggle to rationalize and cope with the idea that perhaps murder is necessary to achieve a more liberated Russia.
But is that murder justified, or will it merely replace one type of violence with another?
The play was written in 1949, and translated from the French. Duke Sergei was the uncle of Tsar Nicholas II, and his assassination is considered the first act of retaliation that spawned the 1905 Russian Revolution (which eventually failed). Sergei was murdered by 23-year old Ivan Kaliayev, the protagonist of the play. Most scholars believe that all of the characters in the play are based on real people and true events.
The Just Assassins performed at the UNDER St. Mark's Theater in the winter of 2004. The show recieved some publicity, yet the overall success of the show was weighted more heavily in its intentions. Certainly the most politically charged play the company ever produced. It is also worth noting that the play opened before elections, and had a very contraversial edge (which reviewers made a point of mentioning).
INSIDE THE SHOW
Why "Just Assassins"?
Notes from the company
as to the reasons behind selecting this play
A Brief Revolution
The Dramaturgical info behind the production
Character Profiles
Learn about the real life persons portrayed in the play The Just Assassins
Extra! Extra!
See what people and publications have to say about the production
Photo Gallery
A selection of pictures
taken from the show
Why "Just Assassins"?
Notes from the company
as to the reasons behind selecting this play
A Brief Revolution
The Dramaturgical info behind the production
Character Profiles
Learn about the real life persons portrayed in the play The Just Assassins
Extra! Extra!
See what people and publications have to say about the production
Photo Gallery
A selection of pictures
taken from the show