Pravda (play) explained

Pravda is a satirical play by David Hare and Howard Brenton exploring the role of journalism in society. It was first produced at the National Theatre in London on 2 May 1985, directed by Hare and starring Anthony Hopkins in the role of Lambert Le Roux, white South African media mogul.^[1] Labelled a "Fleet Street comedy", it is a satire on the mid-1980s British newspaper industry during the Thatcher era, in particular the Australian press baron Rupert Murdoch.^{[2] [3] [4]} Its title refers to the Russian Communist party newspaper Pravda.

The play won 1985 Best Play Award from both the London Evening Standard Awards and City Limits magazine.^[5] It has been described as "one of the biggest hits in the history of the National Theatre."^[6]

Original cast

• Andrew May - Tim McInnerny
• Bill Smiley - Richard Hope
• Bishop of Putney - Daniel Thorndike
• Cartoonist - William Sleigh
• Cliveden Whicker-Baskett - Guy Williams
• D P P Payne - Christopher Baines
• Donna Le Roux - Zoe Rutland
• Eaton Sylvester - Bill Nighy
• Elliot Fruit-Norton - Basil Henson
• Hamish McLennan; Hannon Spot - Fred Pearson
• Harry Morrison - Ron Pember
• Jack ‘Breaker’ Bond - Bill Moody
• Journalist - Robert Ralph
• Journalist - Paul Stewart
• Lambert Le Roux - Anthony Hopkins
• Larry Punt - Mark Jax
• Leander Scroop - Nigel Le Vaillant
• Lord Silk; Ian Ape-Warden - Olivier Pierre
• Michael Quince M.P. - Peter Blythe
• Miles Foley; Mac ‘Whipper’ Wellington; *Doug Fantom - Ian Bartholomew
• Moira Patterson - Patricia Franklin
• Newsvendor - Glenn Williams
• Photographer - Desmond Adams
• Princess Jill - Harriet Thorpe
• Rebecca Foley - Kate Buffery
• Sir Stamford Foley - Ivor Roberts
• Suzie Fontaine - Miranda Foster
• Waiter - Norman Warwick

Critical reception

Punch called it "A savagely bitchy and often wildly funny evening"; the Financial Times noted "A magnificent epic drama"; and The Observer wrote of "sulphurous and crackling entertainment."^{[7] [8]}

External links

• Literary Encyclopaedia
• Chicago Tribune review of production in 2005
• Study Guide for Play by Timeline Theater, Chicago IL USA
• https://www.hitpages.com/doc/6307672185896960/10/

Notes and References

1. Web site: Production of Pravda | Theatricalia. theatricalia.com.
2. News: Pravda's prescience . 23 June 2023 . Evening Standard.
3. Web site: Pravda - Drama Online. www.dramaonlinelibrary.com.
4. Web site: BBC - The National Theatre At 50: Pravda - Media Centre. www.bbc.co.uk.
5. Book: Publications, Europa. International Who's Who of Authors and Writers 2004. November 24, 2003. Psychology Press. 9781857431797. Google Books.
6. Web site: Return to the street of shame. Alex Sierz and Marc. Lee. August 25, 2006. www.telegraph.co.uk.
7. Web site: Pravda | Samuel French. www.samuelfrench.com.
8. Book: Pravda. Howard. Brenton. David. Hare. May 21, 2015. Bloomsbury Publishing. 9781472574800. Google Books.