Useful Idiot (excerpt)

Synopsis:

As ruler of all he surveys, Vladimir Putin decides he wishes to engage the services of a Poet Laureate.

He lights upon one Sergei Smirnov, a struggling, mid-career poet who, devoid of any real profile, comes without political baggage.

Not being a great fan of Putin’s own politics, Sergei is at first reluctant – but his wife, Karine, sees a great opportunity for advancement.

Putin, of course, trusting no-one, enlists the services of his mistress, Yelena, in order to find out more about the real Sergei.

At day’s end, the question remains:  Who’s playing whom?

Character Breakdown:

The play is a 4-hander:  2 females, 2 males
VLADIMIR PUTIN  67
YELENA LEBEDEV  33 / SECRETARY- one actor.
SERGEI SMIRNOV 42
KARINE SMIRNOV  38

Running-time:  85 minutes.

Production History:  Not yet produced.

Excerpt available for download for free.