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