The Master and Margarita: Oxford University Dramatic Society, London and Edinburgh Festival Fringe (From The Oxford Times)

The Master and Margarita: Oxford University Dramatic Society, London and Edinburgh Festival Fringe

10:04am Monday 2nd August 2010 in Leisure By Rowena Purrett

Widely recognised as a cult classic, Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel The Master and Margarita has had a chequered past. Written in 1930s Soviet Russia before being burnt by Bulgakov who could see no hope of its publication, the novel was later resurrected and re-drafted many times. The Master and Margarita consequently remained unpublished until 1966, long after the author’s death. Now, both The Master and Margarita are brought to life once more, this time on stage by the Oxford University Dramatic Society.

Directed with a certain panache by Max Hoehn, this devilishly satisfying production features the work of several of Oxford’s talented young performers. As Margarita, Cassie Barraclough proves herself not only to be a promising actress but also a gifted singer through her soulful rendition of Gloomy Sunday. This was not the only musical accompaniment; Matthew Monaghan as the Devil’s vodka-wielding feline cohort also offers sporadic turns on both piano and violin. David Ralf, as Koroviev, shows great comic timing, establishes an easy rapport with the audience, and earns every laugh he receives.

What OUDS has achieved is remarkable. To convey the essence of this 20th-century literary gem in the space of an hour and a half, with a cast of only nine, and to do it with such style and humour deserves congratulation. The script used for the production has been translated by Russian-speaking members of the Dramatic Society; a true testament to the cast and crew’s obvious passion and dedication to the work.

Following sell-out performances in Oxford, The Master and Margarita will also be staged at the Battersea Arts Centre in London on August 3 and 4 after which the production is due to appear at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the C Soco Studio from August 6 to 30. Success at the Fringe looks certain for this imaginative production.