The Overcoat

Here's Nikolai Gogol's eccentric little masterpiece adapted into a lively storytheatre presentation. In 19th-century Russia, a humble clerk in the Ministry of Legal Records, Akaky Akayevich, scrapes and saves to purchase a handsome new overcoat. The garment, trimmed in cat fur, transforms him into a person who matters. The future is most promising. When the overcoat is stolen by a ruffian, Akaky is driven nearly mad and dies of pneumonia. But wait! Does Gogol have a surprise! Akaky refuses to accept his fate. He returns from the grave and takes out his anger by snatching fine overcoats from the backs of good citizens! No wonder St. Petersburg will never be the same. Gogol mixes comedy, farce and drama with amazing skill. The characters, from the pompous Person Of Consequence to the tailor's fish-frying wife, are delightful types and great fun to portray. An excellent contest choice.