The Last Word issues an unforgettable challenge to the Russian Judiciary.
The Last Word is courageous. Drawing from the final words of women accused of political crimes in Russia, this powerful play is a challenge to Putin and the Russian Judiciary. Alisa Khazanova astounds in her portrayal of the accused women, directed by Maxim Didenko. This mesmerizing multimedia performance paints a damning picture of Russia’s current regime.
The Last Word is a visually stunning work of theatre. The work of Designer Pavel Semchenko, Lighting Designer Alex Musgrave, and Video Designer Oleg Mikhailov is sheer brilliance. Combining creative lighting, live footage, and projection like you’ve never before seen it, this latest work of the Marylebone Theatre is a feast for the eyes. It was the projections at the front of the stage, hanging in the air, that I found most impressive. The collective effect of the various displays was a show of unforgettable visuals.
Alisa Khazanova who conceptualized and starred in this performance is a wonder. She portrayed more than eight characters throughout the entire piece. Her entire demeanor changed for each woman; in one role she would be bold, spine straight and gaze unwavering, while in another she would shrink and shiver away from the viewers. In each woman she portrayed there was a quiet power, white hot rage beneath the surface of their words, embers flickering in their eyes. Her strength and versatility is nothing short of astounding. Appearing alongside Khazanova was Ivan Ivashkin; his presence is frequently confusing. He is an excellent performer with incredible physicality who aids in creating many of The Last Words more gut-wrenching visuals. However there were points where I was so focused on trying to figure out what his purpose was or what message his presence was meant to convey that I lost track of Khazanova’s words.
The Last Word is protest art at its finest. This is one of those shows that imbues its audience with a need for justice. It calls all of our attention to the decrepit state of Russia’s Judiciary. It is a rallying cry for reform and for anger. The women portrayed are portrayed candidly; nothing is covered up. They are strong and they are also afraid, they are not martyrs but simple people with lives.
The Last Word concludes with a projected list of women accused of political crimes in Russia. This list goes on for a very long time. The entire theatre sits in complete stillness as their names and their supposed crimes stream before us. It may have only been two or three minutes, but it feels like an eternity. Their names become seared into our brains. It is enraging to know the scope of corruption and it is nauseating to see that never ending list of names. We only hear the words of a few of these women, but they are unforgettable.