Gogol's THE DIARY OF A MADMAN

Poprishchin is a disenchanted civil servant. He is single, out of money, losing his hair, and unable to secure a promotion. In the evening he vents his frustration in his diary. Entries shift from belittling reports of his superiors, to his obsession with his boss’ daughter, to a suspicion that dogs can talk. When Poprishchin reads that the King of Spain has died without an heir, he realizes his destiny and declares himself King Ferdinand VIII.

Known for his play THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, Nikolai Gogol’s 1835 short story remains shockingly relevant and comedic. Part clown show, part social satire, part tragedy, playwright David Holman adapts THE DIARY OF A MADMAN into a masterful send up of bureaucracy and a raw account of one man’s descent into madness.