Absurd, dark, thrilling, an insight into the logic of desperation — Russian Roulette follows Franc and Kira, trapped in a room with only a “user manual” and a selection of board games. Only once they have played every game will a klaxon sound to signal their freedom. But their path to release is derailed when they find that there is one game left to play – Russian Roulette.
Will Osbon, who wrote the play and co-stars as Franc, proves himself through the play’s fast-paced and witty dialogue. Kira, played by Anya McChristie, is especially well-developed, at first naive, but ultimately outwitting Franc in their final game. Franc too initially appears wired but witless but turns out to be calculating. Their relationship to each other is a little ambiguous; they seem barely attached to each other despite having been imprisoned together for 2000 years, a fact that leaves the audience scratching their heads. Both Osbon and McChristie have powerful stage presence nonetheless — McChristie in particular every bit channelling the frustrated captive – boisterous but never overacting. A perfect counterpart to Osbon’s eager and controlling Franc.
The plot is punctuated by breaks from the linear narrative, once when Franc freezes while Kira suffocates a plastic crocodile with a pillow, and then again to play out a story about Kira’s mother. These moments again leave the audience slightly confused, as do other narrative gaps; it is unclear how and why Franc and Kira got here at all, why they must play these games to be released, and just how they have been here for 2000 years.
Overall, though, its irreverence keeps the audience hooked and heightens the feeling that we are looking through a window onto Franc and Kira’s strange reality, especially in Bedlam Theatre’s dark eeriness. It is a promising offering from Osbon, who was awarded the 2025 “English Literature Play” grant by the University of Edinburgh. Any plot inconsistencies are made up for by his ability to ensnare the audience in the same helpless suspension felt by Franc and Kira. The tension is palpable at every pull of the trigger.
Promotional poster for Russian Roulette from Paradok Theatre, provided to The Student as press material.