Friday 30th October 2026

Friday 30th October 2026

9729/21648
I went up to the attic and found the boxfile containing my scripts (and some other bits and bobs) from Ra Ra Rasputin. What would it be like? Would it hold up? Could there be a comeback?
It certainly needs some work and a few of the then topical references are lost on me now, but there's lots of heart and madness and fun in it. I think it could have a bit more heft, though it does explore the way that this story is already a myth, with my Rasputin adding more mist and mystery and lies to the story. He is an unreliable narrator, whose student companion Andrew Mackyovich (coincidentally played by Andrew Mackay) finds historical sources that dispute his story (and the lyrics of the song that Rasputin claims he wrote). Also there is some suggestion that the writer and star are also somewhat unreliable, exploiting the opportunity to snog some actresses. Both Rasputin and the person playing him (and the person playing the fictionalised version of the person playing him) are made to consider how vacuous their lives and lies make them.
I am not sure if making the piece more sophisticated will improve or destroy it. I found it mainly amusing with more hits than misses. It should not have won the Perrier, but maybe it should have got a nod. If only for its sheer fucking cheek.
And the curse of Rasputin should ensure that any attempts to resurrect the corpse are doomed.
But no one loves failure more than me, so let's see what happens.

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