After seeing Burnt by the Sun at the National, I asked my self does the National ever put on really poor productions - you know the sort you can't even bear to sit through? It seems the answer is no, not at the moment anyway. Burnt by the Sun is one of those wonderful productions where at times it feels like you are the only person in the world witnessing this scene, you no longer feel like an outsider looking in, you suddenly have the right to be there as part of the family. Rory Kinnear is a stunning actor and his performance as Dimitri is perfectly balanced between the villain you know he is and the hero he could be. Kinnear's exuberance on stage contrasts wonderfully with the stillness and calm of the Kotov family. Michelle Dockery is beautifully stoic as Maroussia Kotov, while Ciaran Hinds (playing her husband) flits between powerful and calm. Stephanie Jacob, Duncan Bell, Tim McMullan & Skye Bennett/Holly Gibbs all deserve a mention for solid and powerful supporting performances. As I knew very little about the play before I saw it and probably enjoyed it more as a result, I am loathed to tell you any major plot points, so I won't. Another highly enjoyable production from Howard Davies (who is fast becoming one of my favourite directors) and I am still left wondering when the National Theatre will takes its first stumble onto the slippery slope, I'm praying for the year 2304.
http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/burntbythesun
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