The Russian Gambler

Ed Stoppard stars as obsessive pianist Alexei in this modern-day take on Dostoevsky's classic The Gambler When brilliant but penniless pianist Alexei is hired to tutor the 10-year-old daughter of Russian oligarch Mikhail, he is drawn into a world of chance, obsession and violence. Hopelessly infatuated with Mikhail's beautiful stepdaughter Polina, he vows to do anything to win her love: and so begins his involvement in a dangerous, high-stakes game... Seduced by the lure of the roulette wheel, and embroiled in the complications and machinations of Polina and her family, Alexei's life takes a dark turn. The unexpected arrival of Mikhail's mother Anastasia from Russia offers hope of rescue from financial ruin: but an obsession with risk-taking threatens to destroy everything... This lively reimagining, set in contemporary London, was written by Dolya Gavanski, who also plays Polina. Ed Stoppard (Home Fires) stars as Alexei, with Eleanor Bron (A Little Princess) as Anastasia and Matthew Marsh (Love, Lies and Records) as Mikhail. Production credits Adapted by Dolya Gavanski, from Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Gambler Directed and produced by John Dryden Original music composed by Sacha Puttnam All music performed by Sacha Puttnam Casting: Toby Whale Script Editor: Mike Walker Sound Design: Steve Bond A Goldhawk Production for BBC Radio 4 Cast Alexei - Ed Stoppard Mikhail - Matthew Marsh Polina - Dolya Gavanski Vika - Isabella Blake Thomas Astley - Graham Seed Francois - Orlando Seale Katie - Lucy May Barker Inokenti - George Lasha Masha - Irina Karatcheva Mullighan - Jay Taylor Office Worker - Alana Ramsey Blake - Timothy Walker Anastasia - Eleanor Bron First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17-24 November 2013 © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd