# The Russian Gambler

Canonical: https://www.bookquiver.com/fyodor-m-dostoevsky/the-russian-gambler

![The Russian Gambler](https://quivercdn.com/covers/bbc-digital-audio/fyodor-m-dostoevsky/the-russian-gambler_978-15-2918-756-4-7ec6bda8.webp?v=2026-09-28%2008%3A10%3A22)

- Authors: [Fyodor M. Dostoevsky](https://www.bookquiver.com/fyodor-m-dostoevsky), [Dolya Gavanski](https://www.bookquiver.com/dolya-gavanski)
- Language: en_GB
- Published: 2021-10-21

## Description

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

## Editions

### The Russian Gambler

- Publisher: bbc_digital_audio
- Medium: audio
- Length: 1 h 53 min
- Narrated by: Ed Stoppard, Dolya Gavanski, Eleanor Bron, Matthew Marsh
- ISBN: 978-15-2918-756-4
- Published: 2021-10-21
- Language: en_GB