Julian Barnes, a renowned novelist and essayist, reviews a captivating exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery showcasing Russian cultural icons. He dives into the striking contrasts in portraits of literary figures like Dostoevsky and Chekhov. Meanwhile, Roxana Silbert, a creative theatre director, shares insights on staging Gogol's The Government Inspector, exploring its relevance to modern audiences. Suhayla El-Bushra discusses adapting Erdman's The Suicide, drawing parallels between Russia's past and today's political landscape, highlighting timeless themes of delusion and complicity.
