''Patriots'' is a dramatic

stage play A play is a form of drama that primarily consists of dialogue between characters and is intended for theatrical performance rather than mere reading. The creator of a play is known as a playwright. Plays are staged at various levels, ranging ...

by British playwright

Peter Morgan Peter Julian Robin Morgan (born 10 April 1963) is a British screenwriter and playwright. He has written for theatre, films and television, often writing about historical events or figures such as Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth II, whom he has ...

. The play explores the rise and fall of Boris Berezovsky, a powerful Russian oligarch who was instrumental in shaping

post-Soviet Russia The modern history of Russia began with the Russian SFSR, a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, gaining more political and economical autonomy amidst the imminent dissolution of the USSR during 1988–1991, proclaiming its sovereignty ...

. Set during the 1990s and early 2000s, the play follows Berezovsky’s meteoric rise from mathematician to billionaire media mogul and kingmaker, as he helps

Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, having previously served from 2000 to 2008. Putin also served as Prime Minister of Ru ...

ascend to power—only to later become his enemy. As Berezovsky's influence wanes and Putin consolidates control, the play explores themes of loyalty, ambition, betrayal, and the cost of political power. Morgan’s sharp dialogue and historical insight provide a chilling portrait of modern Russian politics and the moral compromises behind empire-building.

Productions

Off-West End (2022)

''Patriots'' had its world premiere at the

Almeida Theatre The Almeida Theatre is a 325-seat producing house located on Almeida Street off Upper Street in the London Borough of Islington. The theatre opened in 1980, and produces a diverse range of drama. Successful plays are often transferred to West E ...

in London on 12 July 2022, following previews from 2 July. It played a limited run to 20 August. The cast featured

Tom Hollander Thomas Anthony Hollander (; born 25 August 1967) is a British actor. He trained with National Youth Theatre and won the Ian Charleson Award in 1992 for his performance as Witwoud in ''The Way of the World''. He made his Broadway debut in the ...

, Will Keen, Yolanda Kettle, Luke Thallon, Matt Concannon,

Stephen Fewell Stephen Fewell is a British actor who portrays Jason Kane (Doctor Who), Jason Kane in the audio adventures of Bernice Summerfield. He has also appeared in classical theatre, in various ''Doctor Who'' Doctor Who audio productions, audio produc ...

Ronald Guttman Ronald Guttman (born 12 August 1952) is a Belgian actor, theatrical producer, and film producer. Career Guttman was born in Uccle. He started appearing in French-language productions in Europe in 1975. He appeared in his first English-language ...

, Aoife Hinds, Sean Kingsley, Paul Kynman, Jessica Temple and

Jamael Westman Jamael Anwar Hermitt-Westman (born December 1991) is a British actor. He is best known for starring as the title role in the West End production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical ''Hamilton'', which earned him a Laurence Olivier Award nomination ...

West End (2023)

In August 2022, it was announced that the Almeida production would transfer to the

Noël Coward Theatre The Noël Coward Theatre, formerly known as the Albery Theatre, is a West End theatre in St. Martin's Lane in the City of Westminster, London. It opened on 12 March 1903 as the New Theatre and was built by Sir Charles Wyndham behind Wyndham's ...

in the West End. The show began previews on 26 May 2023 with an official opening on 6 June 2023. The show played a 12-week limited engagement, concluding on 19 August 2023.

Broadway (2024)

In January 2024, it was announced that the show will transfer

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...

for a 12-week limited engagement. Will Keen and Luke Thallon reprised their performances as

and

Roman Abramovich Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich (born 24 October 1966) is a business oligarch and politician. He is the former owner of Chelsea F.C., Chelsea, a Premier League football club in London, England, and is the primary owner of the private investment com ...

respectively, with

Michael Stuhlbarg Michael Stuhlbarg ( ; born July 5, 1968) is an American actor. Known for his character roles on stage and screen, he has received numerous accolades, including a Drama Desk Award, an Obie Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, in addition ...

joining the cast as Boris Berezovsky. The show began previews on April 1, 2024 at the

Ethel Barrymore Theatre The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is a Broadway theatre, Broadway theater at 243 West 47th Street (Manhattan), 47th Street in the Theater District, Manhattan, Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S. Opened in 1928, it ...

and officially opened on April 22 . Sonia Friedman is the producer. Full casting was announced on 27 February 2024. The Broadway production is directed by

Rupert Goold Rupert Goold (born 18 February 1972) is an English director who works primarily in theatre. He is the artistic director of the Almeida Theatre, and was the artistic director of Headlong Theatre Company (2005–2013). Since 2010, Goold has be ...

Cast and characters

Awards

Original London production

Broadway production

References

External links

* * {{IBDB title, 538736 2022 plays Plays set in the 21st century Plays set in the 20th century Plays set in Russia Works about Vladimir Putin West End plays English political plays Biographical plays about politicians Broadway plays