Faithful Ruslan: The Story of a Guard Dog

An extraordinary satire on the Stalinist regime in Russia seen through the eyes of a guard dog, this is a modern ‘Animal Farm’ for the world of Trump, May and Putin. Read more …

When Josef Stalin dies in 1953, the inhabitants of prison camps across Russia are liberated. Prisoners, guards and guard dogs are all free to go home. But with life in the Service all he has ever known, loyal guard dog Ruslan remains at his post and faithful to the Master, even as he gives his final unthinkable order.

The critical consensus

Faithful Ruslan offers no easy answers but a haunting experience.

(*) (*) Clare Brennan, The Observer, 17/09/2017

Faithful Ruslan remains a harrowing, thought-provoking, and beautifully presented show, not only about man’s inhumanity to man, but about our even greater – and sometimes almost unbearable – cruelty to the other creatures with whom we share the planet.

(*) Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman, 23/09/2017

Faithful Ruslan is captivating and important – if uncomfortable – viewing.

(*) Harriet Brace, The Reviews Hub, 22/09/2017

A thrilling piece of theatre.

(*) Neil Cooper, Coffee-Table Notes, 25/09/2017

In the end, despite its undeniable curiosity value and some fine performances, including Donaghy’s pitiless master and Paul Brennan as an institutionalised ex-prisoner, this shaggy dog tale is not quite the sum of its parts.

(*) (*) Allan Radcliffe, 26/09/2017

Cult Russian story gets fine but inconsistent stage treatment.

(*) (*) Lorna Irvine, The List, 27/09/2017

Reminiscent of the glory days of Scottish touring company Communicado, Faithful Ruslan is a very welcome addition to our theatre’s explorations in European aesthetics.

Mark Brown, Scottish Stage, 03/10/2017

This is a unique and original play, adapted from a fascinating novel, rescued by the acting.

(*) (*) Enza De Francisci, Plays to See, 04/10/2017