Book written by Russian Culture Minister to hit the stage in Moscow

A novel written by Russia’s conservative Minister of Culture is being adapted for the stage by one of Moscow’s best known theatres.

The Maly Theatre confirmed that work had already begun on the theatrical production of Vladimir Medinsky historical epic Stena (The Wall). The book, which was published in 2012, dramatises the heroic Russian defence of 17th century Smolensk during the Polish-Muscovite War.

The theatre refused to confirm when the play would premiere, but Russian media outlet RBC reported that it could be as early as May 2018.

Medinsky’s novel has already been adapted into a television mini-series directed by Dmitry Meskhiyev.

Released in 2016, the adaptation is currently languishing with a rating of just 3/10 on Russian movie review site Kinopoisk.