Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Bard Books / Avon (1965), Paperback, 187 pages
Description
First performed at the Moscow Art Theatre in 1904, directed by Konstantin Stanislavski, The Cherry Orchard remains a classic of the theatre. Completed less than a year before his death at the age of forty-four, Chekhov's last 'comedy' still ranks supreme as a human tragedy of dispossession with audiences and actors alike. Peter Gill's luminous version brings the psychological realism of Chekhov's characters into sharp focus; fragile souls poised on the brink of happiness which never comes, or trapped in a void between the old world and the new.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Nialle
This play is different every time I read it. When I was younger and still believed that my family's land would continue to be passed down the generations, it was tragic; when I had learned about the Japanese word "aware" it was beautiful; when I had learned something about how easily even clever
Through this reading, though, all I could think about was Firs saying "They knew some way in those days.... They've forgotten. Nobody remembers how to do it." And I look out the window at people who don't remember when shoes were supposed to last more than one season, lenders weren't allowed to charge 25%, growing food wasn't just a health craze but a normal way of life, books didn't cost $10 plus a special $180 decoder gizmo that would be outmoded in a year - and I think about all the people my age who have no idea how to run a business or why it would be desirable to own land - and I think it may not be the cherry orchard, but the Firs of this world, the ones who remember good sense and precaution, the ones who knew their ancestors' knowledge, we must fear most to lose.
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women fall into traps and call them love, I wanted to believe somehow that Lyuba's generosity meant something anyway; as a young person of business I feared becoming Lopakhin with his, as it seemed to me, idealistic excuses for exploitation no different from those of the old aristocracy; after a few years of good fortune I looked less pityingly on old Pishtchik, whose attitude really isn't so absurd, though he may not be a gifted accountant.Through this reading, though, all I could think about was Firs saying "They knew some way in those days.... They've forgotten. Nobody remembers how to do it." And I look out the window at people who don't remember when shoes were supposed to last more than one season, lenders weren't allowed to charge 25%, growing food wasn't just a health craze but a normal way of life, books didn't cost $10 plus a special $180 decoder gizmo that would be outmoded in a year - and I think about all the people my age who have no idea how to run a business or why it would be desirable to own land - and I think it may not be the cherry orchard, but the Firs of this world, the ones who remember good sense and precaution, the ones who knew their ancestors' knowledge, we must fear most to lose.
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LibraryThing member name99
Another example of how I'm usually disappointed when I listen to something that other people consider great, but which does not a priori sound appealing.
This probably reveals me as a philistine, but I just couldn't found much of value in this. We have a bunch of upper-class Russian twits who think
The only character in the play I had the remotest sympathy for was the student who tells them to their faces that they are parasites and that their day is over, not that his warnings are heeded.
Maybe this play is viewed in the same way as Gone with the Wind nostalgia --- everyone who pines for this better simpler way of life assumes that for some reason they're going to be part of the aristrocracy in this alternate world, not one of the lower classes.
This probably reveals me as a philistine, but I just couldn't found much of value in this. We have a bunch of upper-class Russian twits who think
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the world owes them a living, who do absolutely nothing of value to anyone, not even things of abstract value like art or science, and who are bitterly disappointed when the tragedy that everyone has been warning them about for years finally arrives and no deus ex machina saves them. The only character in the play I had the remotest sympathy for was the student who tells them to their faces that they are parasites and that their day is over, not that his warnings are heeded.
Maybe this play is viewed in the same way as Gone with the Wind nostalgia --- everyone who pines for this better simpler way of life assumes that for some reason they're going to be part of the aristrocracy in this alternate world, not one of the lower classes.
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LibraryThing member TakeItOrLeaveIt
saw Anette Benning and Alfred Molin star in this play. not Chekhov's best but good times.
LibraryThing member BooksForDinner
This is a great edition; it has a short but thorough bio of Chekhov, an intro with some basic interpretation, and great notes throughout based on letter the author wrote to some of the original productions' principals.
LibraryThing member cait815
I fell asleep twice while reading this play (and it's not that long). It felt so choppy, like there were 10 different conversations going on at the same time, none of them related. My interest picked up in the second half though, and I liked the ending. I'd love to experience this on stage and see
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if I came away with a better opinion of it. Show Less
LibraryThing member leslie.98
I found it difficult to sympathize with any of the characters, even Lubov who had the most tragic background. As a tale of the decline of Russian nobility and rising of the former serfs into middle class, it was fairly effective but not entertaining. Perhaps I would like a stage production more...
LibraryThing member mamzel
Poor money management forces a family to sell its property including a large cherry orchard. Before closing the property, however, everyone returns to bid each other farewell. Comedic moments include a man who is totally obsessed with billiards and a bittersweet moment when they leave and lock in
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the old, faithful retainer. Job-lot! Show Less
LibraryThing member electrascaife
Nope.
No likeable characters whatsoever, with a plot that I couldn't bring myself to care about at all. Gah.
No likeable characters whatsoever, with a plot that I couldn't bring myself to care about at all. Gah.
LibraryThing member MickyFine
LATW audio production of the classic play recounting the challenges facing an aristocratic Russian family who desperately wants to maintain their way of life even as their finances fall on hard times. I found it challenging to keep characters straight in this one and wasn't always certain which
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character was who - possibly complicated by the complexities of Russian names. This would have been easier to keep straight in a traditional production as you have faces to track with the voice. Not a bad listen but not a play I'm likely to revisit. Show Less
LibraryThing member mykl-s
If I ever get interested in plays again, this would be a good place to start.
Subjects
Awards
Language
Original language
Russian
Original publication date
1904
Physical description
187 p.; 7 inches
ISBN
0380010933 / 9780380010936