Off the Ground Theatre presents a modern tale of corruption, lies and stupidity. Set in Russia, it might prove more familiar than you think…

A small Russian town is trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of drunk, frequently ridiculous and constantly inept politicians who have fought and cheated their way to the top. They push propaganda, they intimidate, they threaten and control the media - all to maintain their ill-gotten positions of power.

When Ilya, a shell-shocked soldier who can no longer drink, returns home from the frontlines in Chechnya, he is hailed as a hero.

Caught in the eye of a political tornado, he is pushed and pulled as the leaders of his hometown manipulate him to further their own agendas.

First performed by the RSC in 2009, this hilarious popular play is more relevant in our current political climate than ever before. It cuts to the core of small-town bureaucracy, with more than toxic echoes of larger national problems.

Artistic Director Dan Meigh said, "When we sat down to discuss how best to kick off our 2021/22 season, there was no doubt in our minds that this was the right play to do.

"At the time it was written the characters and politicians represented would have been absurd in their ineptitude. Now, it speaks so directly to the current mood across the Western world that you'd think it was written yesterday."

Off the Ground Theatre has been producing high-quality theatre since their conception in 1995.

Based in West Kirby, and with close links to Calday Grange Grammar, they have a back catalogue of hugely varied productions, from Shakespeare to Sarah Kane.

The Drunks marks the first studio production from OTG since they restructured in 2019.

Here are the details:

Dates: Thursday 2nd December - Friday 3rd December - Saturday 4th December

Ticket prices: £15 (£5 Under 21s) N.B: Booking fees may apply.

Tickets are available online by clicking or tapping here.