AustLit

Play with music.

The story concerns Semyon Podsekalnikov, an unemployed Russian who is completely dependent upon his wife's meagre wage. When she mistakenly concludes that Semyon plans to commit suicide, she seeks help from a neighbour. The word spreads and, before too long, Semyon is urged by an intellectual, a writer, a butcher, a priest, and a 'femme fatale' to carry out his suicide plans on the behalf of a particular cause. Swayed by visions of glory, Semyon agrees to do it. But at his farewell banquet, he begins to have his doubts and ultimately rejects the notion of suicide.

Borrowing heavily from vaudeville, commedia dell' arte, clowning, and the Hollywood musical, this production of The Suicide also incorporated a good deal of music and musical performance, including original songs by Clay Djubal: 'Suicide (Let's Commit It)' and 'Happy Face.'

'The world is in the midst of a huge environmental and economic crisis. Semyon Semyonovich can't find a job and he's stuck living with his mother-in-law. When, in a heated argument, his wife refuses him a slice of sausage for his midnight snack, it's the final straw. He disappears naked onto the streets and his wife is convinced he's off to kill himself.

'Their opportunistic neighbour sees the chance to make some money and embarks on a scheme to sell off Semyon's suicide rights to various political lobbyists. The highest bidder will win a handwritten suicide note dedicated to their cause. In anticipation of his sacrifice, the community hosts a party to send him off in style. A comedy of despair and longing, "The Suicide" combines high farce and poetic insight.'

Source: Belvoir Street Theatre website,
Sighted: 23/03/2010

'A displaced persons camp that’s become a town. Sami’s lived here so long he can barely remember his real home. He’s a bit of a dreamer, a bit of a clown. One night he wakes up at the end of his tether. There’s gotta be more to life than this. He stakes his dignity on learning the tuba, little knowing he’s set out on a path that will lead him to attending his own funeral… 

'Sami in Paradise is a fresh new version of Nikolai Erdman’s classic 1928 comedy The Suicide, transplanted from the obliterating regime of Stalin’s Russia to the obliterating regime of living stateless in the world today.' (Production summary)