Chekhov's reputation in the theatre is that of a serious man, with his four undisputed masterpieces recognised internationally as classics of naturalistic drama. Poignant and wryly comic, they are incredibly insightful studies in human behaviour which feel as current today as on their opening nights. The short 'vaudevilles' that we are presenting here are quite different however, and closer in tone to his comic short stories than to his later full-length plays. Stuffed full with embarrassing incident, henpecked husbands, missed opportunities and gratuitous insults they are a vibrant breath of fresh air to blow away the theatrical cobwebs.
By turns farcical, satirical and occasionally a bit sad they are short, sharp chunks of 19th century Russian life depicting instantly recognisable characters from any era or nationality. Chekhov never loses his edge, and there is time for regret and loss amidst the belly laughs, but these are essentially there to entertain, containing a wonderful array of colourful characters, all desperately holding onto their sanity in a world that is passing them by.
Of the eight short plays that Chekhov wrote we are performing five, ranging from the gentle hymn to the theatre that is 'Swan Song' to the frenetic farce of 'The Proposal'. Love, death, madness and a lecture on the perils of smoking all in the same evening – what more could you ask for?
Mark France 2007
Cast:The Reluctant Martyr
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Murashkin: Tolkatchov: |
Stuart Horobin Jonathan Bedford |
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Svietlovidoff: Ivanitch: |
Stuart Horobin Jonathan Bedford |
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Popova: Luka: Smirnov: |
Lisa Druett Jonathan Bedford Stuart Horobin |
| Nyukhin: | Stuart Horobin |
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Tchubukov: Lomov: Natalya: |
Stuart Horobin Jonathan Bedford Lisa Druett |
Tour Dates
30TH OCTOBER – 11TH NOVEMBER 2007
The English Theatre of Bruges
FRIDAY 16TH - SATURDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2007
The Audrey Sykes Studio, The Priestley , Bradford
WED 21ST - THURS 22ND NOVEMBER 2007
The Carriageworks, Leeds
FRIDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2007
Otley Courthouse Arts Centre
SATURDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2007
Pateley Bridge Playhouse