3. The Devil Entertains

Moscow, 1938. Margarita takes to the air, the Master's novel reveals the guilt of Pontius Pilate, and Professor Woland's magic act astonishes the Variety Theatre audience!

Mikhail Bulgakov's fantastical novel is a satire of life in 1930s Soviet Russia.

Unpublished during Bulgakov’s lifetime (1891-1940), it was smuggled out of the USSR and first fully published in Paris in 1967.

Starring Daniel Massey, Michael Maloney and Geraldine James.

Dramatised by Brian Wright.

Woland .... Daniel Massey
The Master .... Michael Maloney
Margarit .... Geraldine James
Bezdomny .... Nigel Anthony
Koroviev .... Colin Jeavons
Azazello ....John Holis
Behemoth.... David Holt
Inspector ....Eric Allan
Sergeant .... Jonathan Adams
Rimsky ....Peter Penry Jones
Bengalsky....Jonathan Tafler
Natasha ....Melanie Hudson
Berlioz....John Fleming
Latunsky.... John Church
Baron Maigel.... John Webb
Nurse .... Melinda Walker
Woman.... Linda Polan

Translated by Michael Glennie.

Director: David Hitchinson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1992.