Murder of a Dynasty

Murder of a Dynasty is a stage play written and created by Jane Evelyn Baker, and produced by Leaderson Productions, headed by Count Thomas Orlands. It depicts a dramatised version of the execution of the Poltorotsky Family, and the last recognised Tsar of Nuraslovask. Murder of a Dynasty was anonymously submitted to the desk of Leaderson Productions, by Jane Evelyn Baker, who believed that the violence of the play would bring her public shame. She was persuaded to send in her play by her husband, who enjoyed the dark content. With the victory of Konzask, and native political discontent, Marxist groups were able to take power in the Empire. The political drama is generally left out, focusing on the declining living standards of the Royal family, under a failing war effort, and the revolution, culminating in a bloody execution and controversial mutilation. Murder of a Dynasty is typically shown to foreigners, as an example of 'sophisticated' cultural works. However, many youth of Essotori no longer hold Murder of a Dynasty to such a high standard, it is seen as something for the elderly and the rich.

## Themes

### Evil of Man

Murder of a Dynasty pontificates the vices of man, in a distinctly Essotori manner. When the end of the war looms, society itself begins to break, with bank robbing, murders, and rapes, being alluded to, contrasting with the craddling of the youngest Prince Radazov in serene wool.

### Responsibility

Murder of a Dynasty, while regarded as propaganda by foreign observers, was actually deeply critical of the Imperial system, to the extent that it was banned by the Imperial Fists of the Mandate, the 'official' successors of the Imperial House. Murder of a Dynasty, while showing the Tsar as an ultimately noble figure, depicted his court as lazy, ambitious and blame shifting, with the Tsar being unable and unwilling to correct the fatal flaws in the system. As well as the failure of the war, taking out the failures on his family.

### Family and Government

Murder of a Dynasty implies at several points that the Tsar's defeat in the war and the revolution was due to his failure as a father. When fails, his family life deteriorates, spiralling into disaster.

## Background

Jane Evelyn Baker began writting Murder of a Dynasty in 1920, after details of the Revolution became more avalible to the public. While most in Essotori were apathetic, caring not for the troubles of a foreign state with no relation to the Nozerod Cult, Baker was inspired. She wrote in her diary that "In September, fifty seventh year of Nozerod Extradinary Inspiration, this Crownslave encountered a young girl, of perfect facial structure and fair hair. However, the Youthful Crownslave, of who's name is a mystery, was so sad. This Crownslave knew immediately, whom to base the Imperial Princess upon." Princess Daria plays a deeply prominent role, almost as an audience surrogate, asking the Tsar about the war, and subjects the audience would not be assumed to know. Upon completing the work, her husband encouraged her to publish it, using his connections with Leaderson Productions.

## Modern Usage

The 'Tsar' of the Mandate in the modern day, Alexander, watched a rendition of the play in 2018, with his partner. He was seen weeping, engrossed in the performance.