The Cherry Orchard: A Comedy in Four Acts

by Anton Chekhov, Nick Worrall, Jenny Stevens, Michael Frayn, Chris Megson

Overview

'Frayn's translation, which strikes me as splendidly lucid and alive . . . will be acted again and again' New Statesman
In Chekhov's tragi-comedy - perhaps his most popular play - the Gayev family is torn by powerful forces deeply rooted in history and the society in which they live. Their estate is hopelessly in debt: urged to cut down their beautiful cherry orchard and sell the land for holiday cottages, they struggle to act decisively.
Originally published to coincide with Peter Hall's National Theatre production in 1978, this edition features the revised translation staged by Sam Mendes at the Aldwych Theatre, London, in 1989, starring Judi Dench and Ronald Pickup.
Commentary and notes by Nick Worrall

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780413695000
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/19/2009
Series:	Student Editions
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) first turbaned to writing as a medical student at Moscow University, from which he graduated in 1884. Among his early plays were short monologues (The Evils of Tobacco, 1885), one-act farces such as The Bear, The Proposal and The Wedding (1888-89) and the 'Platonov' material, adapted by Michael Frayn as Wild Honey. The first three full-length plays to be stage, Ivanov (1887), The Wood Demon (1889) and The Seagull (1896) were initially failures. But the Moscow Arts Theatre's revival of The Seagull two years later was successful and was followed by his masterpieces, Uncle Vanya (1889), Three Sisters (1901), and The Cherry Orchard in 1904, the year of his death.

Editorial Reviews

Frayn's translation, which strikes me as splendidly lucid and alive . . . will be acted again and again” —New Statesman

From the Publisher

Frayn's translation, which strikes me as splendidly lucid and alive . . . will be acted again and again.

New Statesman

I don't think I have ever seen anything quite like this production on a stage before—I left the Beaumont exhilarated.

NY Times

...a new, faithful, very playable and gorgeous translation by Jean-Claude van Itallie.

NY Post

Jean-Claude van Itallie's adaptation is splendid, colloquial without being cute, simple, moving, funny.

Village Voice

Only the Russians could have called Chekhov's last play a comedy. This L.A. Theatre Works production leans more heavily on the dramatic, even tragic, elements of the play. Marsh Mason is particularly strong as Ranevskaya, who has returned to her beloved estate several years after her young son drowned there, only to watch it slip from the family's hands. Hector Elizondo, as Ranevskaya's brother, is an excellent supporting character, as is Michael Cristofer as the wealthy neighbor who ultimately buys the property. The lone clunker in the cast is Jennifer Tilley, who is entirely inappropriate for her small role. D.B. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

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