Anna Karenina at the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh

Russian literature is hardly the stuff of fun and frolicking (and the f-word)!

But in the hands of Scottish playwright and actor Lesley Hart, Leo Tolstoy’s epic story explodes into the 21st century with much mirth and madness, together, inevitably, with not a little misery.

Director Polina Kalinina joined Hart in adapting the story over four-and-a-half-years, and together they have created a vibrant, fresh production which at times will have you jumping out of your seats, thanks to Emma Bailey’s set, sound designer Xana’s unexpected compositions and lighting designer Mark Henderson’s special effects.

The production opens with the beautifully costumed characters set in a colourful tableau at a sumptuous table laden with food. Then, suddenly, they start skating around the stage – but this splicing and conjuring of scenes becomes the norm as the members of the three marriages under scrutiny interact with each other.

As the story of Anna Karenina, aristocrat and socialite and wife of an older, senior statesman, and her affair with young cavalry officer Count Vronsky unfolds, we are drawn into a gamut of emotions as love, passion, betrayal, forgiveness, broken hearts and hope abound in a well-paced production, as relevant today as it was back in the 1800s.

A sterling cast is lead by Lindsey Campbell in the title role, lighting up the stage with her unbridled passion for the Count and leaving us in shock at her subsequent despair. Robert Akodoto as the Count, though not as experienced, is to be applauded for taking on a leading role in this, his professional theatrical debut.

Also making her debut as the wild and impetuous Kitty, as well as the Count’s horse in a surreal and mesmerising racing scene, is the captivating Tallulah Greive. Jamie Marie Leary commands great presence as Anna’s feisty sister-in-law Dolly married to the wonderfully simpering Stiva, played by Angus Miller; Stephen McCole is suitably authoritative as Anna’s husband, while Ray Sesay shows his versatility playing four roles.

The part of Anna's eight-year-old son is played by three young actors, and on press night Robbie Scott really stole our hearts with his playfulness and vulnerability.

This is the third time this year that the Lyceum has presented a rewriting of a classic, and Anna Karenina’s future looks rosy if it is to follow in the footlights of Macbeth (an undoing), which has just been nominated for eight awards.

Image: Robbie McFadzdean

Anna Karenina is at the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh until June 3.