Paradok Platform 2025 Presents Russian Roulette
★★★☆☆ Brimming with potential
Bedlam Theatre (Venue 49): Thurs 21 – Mon 25 Aug 2025
Review by Erin Frances Speirs
Russian Roulette, one of three pieces of new writing from Edinburgh University’s experimental theatre company Theatre Paradok, is an interesting, dystopian look at relationships and systems of oppression it runs at the Bedlam for the final five nights of the Fringe.
Kira and Franc are trapped inside a room, blindfolded and surrounded by board games. Still unable to see, they discuss their predicament: when the lights come on, they are to take off their blindfolds, play the games, and when the klaxon goes off the door will open, and they will be free to leave.
Will Osbon and Anya McChristie in Russian Roulette. Pic: Paradok.
As the pair get increasingly frustrated with each other it is revealed they have been in this room for 2,000 years. Whilst searching through the manual they realise the last game they must play to exit the room is Russian Roulette.
Anya McChristie as Kira quickly creates an enigmatic, fiery and loveable character. She is the fighter to Franc (Will Osbon)’s lover.
McChristie’s delivery is sharp, hilarious and meets the over exaggerated tone when needed. Osbon, who also wrote the play, is charming and endearing as the rule-abiding Franc, playing the role with brilliant comedic timing.
an absurdist hilarity
Physical theatre segments show time passing. Garish lighting and jarringly upbeat music, from designers Hattie Summers (lighting) and Sophie Bendon (tech) create a surreal, dream-like environment. Osbon plays these moments with strong form: striking tableaux with flare. McChristie struggles to hit as clearly sharp positions as Osbon; however she is a joy to watch in her later surrealist scenes, in which she dazzles with an absurdist hilarity.
Oliwia Zembrzuska’s set is simple yet effective. A table, two chairs and mountains of games strewn around. A white curtain behind the table is adorned with a ‘Welcome Home’ sign. A daunting environment to call “home” for over 2,000 years.
Will Osbon and Anya McChristie in Russian Roulette. Pic: Paradok.
Issues with the play begin to arise as it moves forward, leaving too many unanswered questions in its wake. It is never revealed who this pair are, how they were chosen and forced to partake in this oppressive ritual, or even how they are able to survive.
Kira and Franc seem utterly confused and uneducated about what a gun is. They compare it, and the game of Russian Roulette, to other children’s games they have played, which suggests they know nothing but the room they are in. Yet, they speak about their families and their lives outside of the sick game with familiarity.
interesting ideas
Osbon’s script is full of interesting ideas but fails to explore them successfully as it becomes overloaded with contrasting information – leaving is audience to mull over the unanswered questions, rather than delving into the relevant topics at hand.
The fantastical physical theatre sections are directed brilliantly by Tilda Seddon. Unfortunately there are many other moments which feel aimless, with the actors lost on stage. When this combines with Osbon’s confused script, it begins to feel as you are also trapped in a room with no escape.
With themes of connection, oppression and religion, Russian Roulette is brimming with potential, but is yet to find its spark. With more meaningful direction, a compacted script, and a bit of dramaturgy, Russian Roulette could be a mesmerising piece of dystopian theatre.
Running time: 55 minutes (no interval).
Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristo Place EH1 1EZ (Venue 49).
Thursday 21 – Monday 25 August 2025.
Daily: 9.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
Bedlam Fringe website: www.bedlamfringe.co.uk
Paradok website: theatreparadok.com
Facebook: @theatreparadok
Instagram: @roulettefringe
Instagram: @theatreparadok
Linktree: @paradoksocials
X: @theatreparadok
Will Osbon and Anya McChristie in Russian Roulette. Pic: Paradok.
ENDS
