In Your Hands

Synopsis

Based on the real events of 23 October 2002, In Your Hands is the story of a terrorist attack that grabbed headlines all over the world. During a performance of the popular musical Nord Ost, Chechen rebels took control of a Moscow theatre. Men, women and children were held captive inside the auditiorium for 57 hours while the Russian government debated how to react. During that time, the hostages communicated freely with their captors. Exploring the relationships between captors and captives, the role of women in Islamic terrorism, and the ability of modern states to resolve hostage situations, In Your Hands is a challenging and powerful examination of contemporary moral dilemnas. Dedicated to all those who lost their lives in terrorist attacks. Please note this production contains scenes of a violent nature that may be unsuitable for children.

Our Review:

14 September 2006

Terrible things do happen in theatres: Which Witch, Bernadette and Matador spring immediately to mind. Even real murder has been committed in the shadow of a playhouse chandelier (“Apart from that, Mrs Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?”).

But the nightmare of all time was the occupation of a Moscow theatre by Chechen rebels, half of them heavily veiled women, kitted out with explosives and machine guns, in October 2002, during a performance of a new hit musical, Nord-Ost (“North West”), based on a popular Russian novel about heroes of polar exploration. When the federal forces stormed the theatre after fifty-seven hours, under a smokescreen of lethal gas, all 40 rebels, and 150 theatre-goers, were killed.

In Your Hands by a young American-based Muscovite, Natalia Pelevine, is a pedestrian account of this horror, leavened with some nasty shock tactics (loud gun shots, rebel soldiers stomping up and down the tiny New En...

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Latest User Review

86.129.120.151) - 18 September 2006:

What an insensitive and disrespectful review. Not to the writer, director or cast but to those who went through this horror, died in this horror and those who are still mourning their loved ones. This is obviously not the play to see if your opinion of a play depends upon whether or not you get to have gin and tonic and ice cream in the interval. Victims of the tragedy did not get an "interval" and were not given ice cream breaks. Thus why should you? As for the long pauses and "trivial" conversations my friend, in my opinion they make the audience feel like they are going through the Moscow theatre seige themselves. The play in my opinion is so powerful that I will probably go see it again. Thank god that this issue has been brought up or else "terror tactics" will only be left to professionals. I am appalled at the 2 star review. I give you 2 stars for being so heartless. You were given a chance to experiece what hostages did and all you could think about mr critic was yourself. This play in my opinion is fantastic and should be seen by all. ...

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