This is a provocative new play about Mikhail Kalashnikov - the Russian inventor of the AK47 assault rifle, and a decorated Soviet hero. Set in Kalashnikov's dacha amidst the dark woods and waters of a fairy tale Russian landscape, a young journalist, Volkov, comes to interview the elderly Kalashnikov about his time on the front line and his subsequent invention of the AK-47 assault rifle. With the help of his daughter and grand-daughter, Kalashnikov initially welcomes Volkov into his home but as the questions harden and ambiguities appear in Kalashnikov's recollections, some painful and extremely uncomfortable truths begin to emerge...

Fraser Grace began writing for the stage whilst working for Back-to-Back Theatre, a Birmingham based touring company for which he also acted and directed. Perpetua was joint winner of the 1996 Verity Bargate Award. It was premiered at The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre in April 1999 in association with Soho Theatre Company.