The information on `Svejk'

What Is It?

Final week to see Colin Teevan's excellent dramatisation of Jaroslav Hasek's 1923 play, which concludes the Gate's "Idiots" season. Directed by Dalia Ibelhauptaite, the piece traces the fortunes of the Czech holy fool Svejk, who makes an artform of idiocy.

Who's In It?

Martin Savage (right) excels as the gawping Svejk, while there are similarly impressive cameo performances by Maitland Chandler as Kraus and Sally Hawkins as a mongrel dog.

What They Say About It

"Martin Savage perfectly embodies Svejk's spirit with a button-eyed gaze and comically innocent gawp. The rest of the cast, under Dalia Ibelhauptaite's assured direction, leaps energetically into creating the absurd universe that erupts around him," Rachel Halliburton, The Independent.

"Once again the Gate has been blessed with good timing for a viciously funny account of the savageries of war, and you can't help feeling that there's a little bit of Svejk in all of us," Lyn Gardner, The Guardian.

"Quirky, disorienting, intermittently enjoyable, often exasperating and pretty faithful to the tone of the original. A holy fool? A subversive in deep disguise? Or both? At least Teevan's Svejk will keep you guessing," Benedict Nightingale, The Times.

Where You Can See It

Svejk is at the Gate Theatre, Pembridge Rd, London W11 (0171-229 0706) to Sat