The Kursk: JUTE Theatre

Where were you in August 2000 when nuclear submarine The Kursk sank, on its ill-fated training mission in the Barren Sea? Like many international events that capture the world’s media attention, I remember watching snippets of the unfolding events on British television where I was living at the time. I vaguely remember the controversy and hype surrounding the media delivered notion that British rescue submarines and vessels were at the ready to extract the survivors – only to be waved away by proud, distrusting Russians, portrayed as soldiers still clinging to cold war sentiment, at the expense of their submariners who were trapped perilously for days in the wreck, lying on the cold ocean floor.

‘Documentary Theatre’ if there is such a genre, is how the play seemed to me. The audience is transported to the heart of the story and is carried along through the hours of each day as the play documents the reality of what occurred, right to the discoveries from the inevitable enquiries once the wreck was recovered.

Using a neat mix of reenactments (from inside the Kursk, the headquarters, the Garrison, and the men’s family homes), embellished and linked with factual narration, as well as film stock, each angle is explored to give a full view of the timeline, ensuing drama and its impact.

What you learn about the truth of the events is revealing, and still considerably controversial, knitted into a remarkable script, which manages to build a sense of distress and helplessness and urgency and impending doom.

It’s not surprising to learn that the standout performance, from an actor who seems to be telling you his own story, is also the playwright Sasha Janowicz. He is said to have traveled to Russia to research and investigate the story for his script, and the invested emotion is evident in his delivery.

Not to be outdone, the other five actors in the play keep us captivated for the 80-minute one act drama, in a darkened, cold and foggy theatre that sets the scene for the underwater grave the Kursk becomes.

Charged with emotion to the end the play’s overriding sense is one of grief for the Russian people who lost their beloved comrades, fathers, sons and husbands. It’s the real human tragedy and the story of their lives and deaths that surpasses any international relations or enquiries as to the Russian Navy’s conduct in the situation.

Worth watching! Modern history is fertile ground for some of the best stories, and I imagine that even those folk who aren’t regular theatregoers, but who follow current affairs, world events and documentaries will enjoy this play.

In Cairns from the 18th to 22nd August 2009, The Kursk will continue its tour of Australia until the end of the year.
THE KURSK
PLAYWRIGHT Sasha Janowicz
DIRECTOR Michael Futcher

AWARDS
• Winner of Best New Australian Play
• Winner of Best Direction
• Winner of Best Independent Production (2007 Matildas Awards)