Fair Slaughter

Synopsis

A British military outpost in Murmansk, Russia, 1920. The harsh winter landscape sets the stage for a lifelong journey of idealism, disillusionment, and regret

Gocher, a young British soldier, experiences a pivotal moment that shapes his entire life when he meets a Russian comrade named Tovarish. Inspired by communist ideals, Gocher becomes disillusioned with British society and struggles to reconcile his beliefs with the realities of post-war England. The play follows Gocher’s life through various stages, from his time as a union activist in the 1930s to his later years as an elderly man in a prison hospital. Throughout, he is haunted by the memory of Tovarish and the ideals he once held dear. Leary, a young prison officer, becomes fascinated by Gocher’s past and helps him attempt to reclaim a lost memento from his time in Russia.

Howard Brenton’s play is a complex exploration of political idealism, memory, and the lasting impact of youthful experiences. Through a non-linear structure that jumps between different periods of Gocher’s life, the play examines the tension between personal convictions and societal expectations. Brenton uses the character of Gocher to critique both British imperialism and the failings of communist ideals, while also exploring themes of guilt, betrayal, and the search for meaning in life. “Fair Slaughter” challenges audiences to consider the long-term consequences of political actions and the ways in which our past continues to shape our present.