The Cherry Orchard
by Anton Chekhov, in a new version by Victor Kalka
“★★★½ Rich storytelling with laughs and class in equal measure”
Chekhov’s final play about a family on the edge of ruin and a country on the brink of revolution is reimagined for 2019.
Heartbroken and bankrupt, Lyubov Andreyevna returns to her family farm, only to find it on the brink of bankruptcy. She is offered an easy way out: sell the property and live comfortably on the profits. Can she let go of the past in order to secure a future for her family?
written by Anton Chekhov, in a new version by Victor Kalka
directed by Victor Kalka
assistant director Margaret Thanos
stage manager Christopher Starnawski
sound designer Ryan Devlin
costume designer Jacob Parker
publicity assistant Declan Coyle
with Martin Bell, Garreth Cruikshank, Dominique de Marco, Zacharie di Ferdinando, Suzann James, Craig James, Laurel McGowan, Alannah Robertson, Martin Quinn, Benjamin Tarlinton, Caitlin Williams, and Harley Wilson
Chippen Street Theatre, June 2019
The script of The Cherry Orchard is now available to purchase on Kobo.
Notes on The Cherry Orchard
A Comedy in Four Acts
Director Robert Icke was once asked whether his Uncle Vanya was a comedy, he pithily responded: “Is your life a comedy or a tragedy?”
One way to consider the comedy of The Cherry Orchard is as a ‘divine comedy,’ not intended to be ‘ha ha’ funny, but rather to fulfil comedy’s higher purpose of liberation, healing and rebirth. The tragedy of the destruction of the orchard in the final moments of the play is tempered by Anya’s growth and maturity, implying a new life beyond the estate.
That being said, there are moments in The Cherry Orchard that are actually funny. Chekhov insisted that this play is "a comedy, and in places even a farce," and I take him at his word. Yepikhodov is a hoot and Lopakhin’s unsuccessful proposal to Varya is as sad as it is funny. In his introduction to the Penguin edition of plays, Richard Gilman reminds the reader: “ Chekhov is often very funny, so feel free to laugh, aloud if the impulse strikes you.”
