Russian Revolution Short Skit
Characters: NarratorTsar Nicholas IIKerenskyLeninAlexandra
Worker #1Worker #2
Narrator: The year is 1917. Russia is embroiled in World War One; however, its economy which is not fully industrialized is finding it difficult to support the war effort and the needs of the civilian population. At the same time, Germany is launching an offensive and pushing the Russian army back. Support for the war and trust in the tsar is at an all time low.
Tsar Nicholas: My dear Alexandra, I just do not know what to do anymore. I never wanted to be tsar in the first place. I would much rather be a country gentleman and far away from the city, politics, and this awful war.
Alexandra: Nicky, you are the people’s tsar. They look to you and worship you. You need to be more firm, less kind, and not let your ministers walk all over you.They are nothing but peasants compared to you.
Tsar Nicholas: I love my country and my people; however, those Bolsheviks are trying to turn everyone against me. It is really quite silly if you think about. Those stupid communists; they think a revolution is going to happen and the country will be all theirs.
Alexandra: Lock them all up! That is what you should do. This is your country and you need to start acting like it.
Narrator: Two working class individuals talk about Russia’s situation while they are in a factory.
Worker #1: Did you see in the paper yesterday that Nicholas is sending more troops to the front to fight the Germans. I wonder what will be their weapon of choice; probably a pitchfork or piece of wood. They will be slaughtered against the German onslaught.
Worker #2: I don’t think it’s fair to blame the tsar for all of Russia’s problems. At least he is different from his father. That guy would imprison anyone if they talked out against the government.
Worker #1: Well, we can sure blame him for our current problems. I mean look at these horrible working conditions. We work in this damp, rat infested factory for almost nothing. No minimum wage, no sick days, and no regulation on these horrible conditions.
Worker #2: But what can we do?
Worker #1: I have been attending secret meetings held by the Bolsheviks. When they have enough weapons, ammunition, and men, they will launch an attack on the government and overthrow it. The leader is Vladimir Lenin, and he wants to help people such as us.
Worker 2: There you go again with those communists. The tsar is in the process of locking those guys up. I would be careful if you go to those meetings.
Worker #1: Why would I not support them? They are promising us land, better conditions, food, and to end the war.
Worker #2: They are just too radical for me. I support Kerensky in the Duma. He is moderate but supports the war.
Narrator: It is spring of 1917. Riots begin in Saint Petersburg and Moscow, two of Russia’s major cities. Also, the Germans continue to advance further into Russia as the undersupplied Russian army is not match for them.
Kerensky: Nicholas Romanov, your time is at an end. The country is doomed if you stay as our tsar. While I know you love this country and mean well, you are, however, a weak and ineffective leader that is destroying Russia. It is time for you to abdicate.
Tsar Nicholas: That is preposterous! The people adore me. Russia would not be the same without a tsar. I am the people’s father. Who will they look to if I abdicate and leave the country?
Kerensky: False, the people adored you years ago, but you have lost much of their trust and loyalty. In fact, you have even lost the support of the army which is why you must leave.
Tsar Nicholas: I cannot believe it has come to this. Where will my family and I go?
Kerensky: We will work those details out later. Right now I must work with other Russian political leaders and form a democracy, where people can have voice in their government for once.
Alexandra: We should have shot you long ago you wicked and terrible man. You have ended the reign of my husband, and Russia will never be the same
Kerensky: Madam, it was not I who ended the reign of your husband, but his inability to run this country.
Tsar Nicholas: Mr. Kerensky, I wish you the best of luck even if I do not fully understand your reasoning behind wanting a democracy. Lastly, I must ask you, will Russia continue to fight in the war? So many good men have died over the past three years for us.
Kerensky: Of course! We have sacrificed too much to give up now.
Narrator: Tsar Nicholas and his family are moved into Siberia and placed under guard. Kerensky and the other political leaders of Russia create a democracy, which enjoys support among many Russians. The one mistake is that Kerensky did not pull Russia out of the war which remains unpopular and continues to weaken the Russian economy. The Bolsheviks under Lenin see their chance to take power as Kerensky’s government is weak and begins to lose support.
Lenin: The time is now here! We will build a new country founded on the beliefs of equality. The horrible working conditions in factories will be no more. Everyone will have a voice in our Soviet Union. But wait. Who will lead us? Who will bring Russia into the 20th century? Who will spread communism to every part of the world? It is not Nicholas Romanov nor is it Mr. Kerensky. It is the Bolshevik Party under my leadership which will do all these things and more. Russia will be a great and powerful nation under my authority and guidance. My fellow Russians, I promise bread, land, and peace for all!
Narrator: Lenin, along with the Bolshevik Party, ruled Russia until his death in 1924. While Lenin took Russia out of the war and brought stability to Russia, the Bolshevik Party and Lenin controlled everything and the average person still did not have a voice or freedom to speak his or her mind.