Raya Bobrinskaya: A Journalist’s Struggle Against Oppression in Putin’s Russia

Raya Bobrinskaya: A Journalist’s Fight Against Oppression

For Raya Bobrinskaya, a tenacious newspaper journalist navigating the treacherous landscape of Vladimir Putin’s Russia, the threat of poisoning looms large, almost like an occupational hazard she has come to expect. Yet, when the moment arrives, and she is engulfed in a torrent of blood and excruciating pain, her thoughts spiral into regret — not for her fearless reporting, but for the harrowing reality her twenty-something daughter must face as a witness to this life-threatening attack.

“I’m so sorry,” Raya whispers, her voice trembling with remorse. “I didn’t want you to be here for this, I really didn’t, I promise.”

Until this sudden and visceral shift in the narrative, Erika Sheffer’s latest play, “Vladimir,” unfolds at a deliberate pace, reminiscent of a slow-burning fuse. However, once the first act concludes, the drama ignites with a fierce intensity, brimming with tension, intrigue, and deep emotional resonance.

Under the direction of Daniel Sullivan for the Manhattan Theater Club, this play is particularly poignant in the context of the current election season: it serves as a thought-provoking meditation on the erosion of democratic ideals. In a candid program note, Sheffer expresses her concern regarding the “recent surge of extremism and violence in American politics.” She recounts how her curiosity was piqued by Putin’s rise to power, prompting her to explore the precarious moment when a society teeters on the brink of upheaval.

“Who chooses to fight, and who opts for silence?” she provocatively queries.

In “Vladimir,” staged at New York City Center Stage I, the struggle between valor and apathy is a clear choice for the restless and witty Raya (played by Francesca Faridany). Fueled by her indignation towards Putin’s regime and a profound love for her homeland, Raya finds it impossible to turn a blind eye to the rampant abuse of power, even as she recognizes that doing so might offer her a semblance of safety.

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