A MOVING play about the 2002 Moscow theatre siege is receiving its UK premiere at Salisbury Playhouse.

Torsten Buchsteiner’s Nordost, which has been translated into 14 languages and performed in 16 European countries, will be a co-production between the Playhouse and Company of Angels.

Alongside the professional cast, members of Stage ’65, Salisbury Playhouse’s Youth Theatre, will feature as a ‘silent chorus’.

The Moscow theatre hostage crisis shocked the world.

A packed house was watching Nordost, celebrated as the first authentic Russian musical, when 42 Chechen militants stormed the theatre.

There were 850 held hostage, including many children.

After a 57-hour standoff with images beamed around the world, Russian special forces intervened, but 117 hostages lost their lives.

Nordost explores the siege and its aftermath through the voices of three women as the hostage crisis unfolds.

Company of Angels has a growing reputation for inventive staging of dynamic new plays from across Europe, appealing to audiences both young and old.

Last year they worked together with Salisbury Playhouse on Anne and Zef.

Nordost is translated by David Tushingham, directed by Company of Angels’ joint director, Adam Barnard, with associate director Victoria Briggs, and is designed by Nicolai Hart Hansen.

The cast includes Emily Bowker, Nia Davies and Ellie Turner.

Nordost is at Salberg Studio, Salisbury Playhouse from April 15 to 27.

For tickets, call the box office on 01722 320333 or visit salisburyplayhouse.com.