The Barn Theatre, Cirencester – until 12 June 2021 and then onto the Arcola Theatre, London
5*****
Reviewed by Josie Armand Smith
The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, along with the Arcola Theatre in London have put together a brilliant show. This is the world premiere of A Russian Doll which is a one woman play written by Cat Goscovitch. It’s directed by Nicholas Kent.
The play is set in Russia in the run up to the EU referendum. It follows the story of Masha who is a student who naively starts working for an oligarch in a troll factory. she explains how she falls into the world of data and deceit and how facebook can be used to influence choice and incite racism. Weapons do not have to be guns anymore but can be data instead. Masha is played by Rachel Reford who is bone chillingly convincing. She showed how it easy it is to spread misinformation and how easily you can lie on the internet. You can pretend to be anyone online with astounding consequences.
After its run at the Barn Theatre it will be moving to the Arcola Theatre in east London with performance dates to be in announced in due course.