Burnt by the Sun is a play of jealousy, retribution and revenge, set at a time when the personal was the political, with a cast including Rory Kinnear (The Revenger's Tragedy). Entry Pass reviewers Alex Hayden and Gaby Schwarz joined the professional critics on press night - see what they thought below:

Burnt by the Sun is a fantastically gripping examination of the moment communism changed from a dream for some to a nightmare for many. It is set in 1936, Stalinist Russia in a run down dacha which Vicki Mortimer has cleverly designed to rotate, allowing the audience to not only view the set from different angles but also to capture a more realistic insight into the families life, giving it an almost "peeping Tom" quality. This is the setting for the majority of the first half as it meanders on in a rather Chekhovian manner, that Flannery has combined with a script rife with humour and light heartedness to mask the long lost Mitia's (Rory Kinnear) sinister ulterior motive.

Flannery has created a play bursting with emotion, jealousy, love and pride but perhaps the most effective theme is the undercurrent of despair that is present, if not noticeable throughout the entire course of the play. Burnt by the Sun is the National Theatres second play to observe the topic of Soviet Russia, after the success of Every Good Boy Deserves Favour it is refreshing to see a theatre willing to take the risk of producing a play that steers clear of anything to do with recent warfare and political conflict . Overall I would definitely recommend this play to anyone, if not for the play itself, then for the first class acting in it.

Alex Hayden

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Set in the singular circumstances of 1930s communist Russia, Burnt by the Sun is a haunting reminder of this dark piece of history. Nothing is what it originally seemed in the first light and humorous few scenes; those whom we originally dislike become heroes and we are led to question the sympathy we felt for others.

This mysterious story, the beautiful acting and atmospheric set pull the audience into the lives of Kotov's family so that we too can feel the heat of the sun. The characters' personal histories and tragic futures are all deeply moving, but the play also makes the audience think. Difficult questions are raised about the motivations and morality of the characters, questions which are not answered and add a surprising universality to the story.

One of the highlights of this beautiful production is the use of music throughout. The culture-loving ‘bourgeois' family love to sing, and their music represents their innocence. However some of the most sinister scenes involve beautiful song or music. A band of pioneers also appear at intervals in the play to salute Kotov, hero of the Revolution, and it is their steadfast devotion which, whilst ironic, provides one of the most touching moments. Within Burnt by the Sun, in one day, one family and one house, the mood of a whole era is encapsulated.

A very powerful play.

Gaby Schwarz