The Death of Ivan the Terrible

About the show

Tolstoy’s blank-verse historical drama portrays Ivan IV’s final year, as the tsar considers relinquishing rule after killing his son and then returns to the burden of governing. The court’s boyars debate his authority, while Boris Godunov’s influence grows and conflicts involving Shuisky and Belsky unfold. The action is set in 1584 but draws together events that took place in 1581.