Comments on: The Cherry Orchard

By: term

term — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 05:19:19 +0000

About “The Cherry Orchard” are many things to say… And about “The Seagull”, or “Three Sisters” too… Chekhov was a doctor, so he was able to describe very well human nature. But you know what’s great about these plays, that they still describe our world. The characters are always complaining, doing plans, but they never really do something. So maybe that’s why Chekhov is now the 3rd most played drama writer from all times, after Shakespeare and Ionesco.

By: RebeccaG

RebeccaG — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 15:50:19 +0000

Lovely review John and I agree with all you said. I had the pleasure of seeing it last week. Dick, Joanna said in a recent radio interview that she had plans after the short run so I dont think it can be extended.

I would recommend the trip up to Sheffield.

By the way Dick I’ve already seen Tobias in season 2 of Rome and he gives a wonderful performance as Brutus. His death is very memorable. He’s also due to play the first British officer to enter Belsen in a new Drama to be shown in September on Channel 4. He’s an actor to watch out for.

jb says: Thanks, Rebecca. Yes, I’d underline that. Go see it, even if it means travelling. It’s good theatre. Hard to find, so when it comes up, don’t miss it.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 15:34:02 +0000

So glad you enjoyed the play. I saw it last week and all the cast were wonderful. I particularly liked Tobias Menzies as the “perpetual student” and Tom Mannion.

jb says: Hi Jessica. Eh, wasn’t it a treat, though?

By: Dick

Dick — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 08:05:41 +0000

This production sounds very special. Any chance of it travelling south, do you know, John? Joanna Lumley as Ranevskaya I would love to see. Good to know that she’s getting some decent acting done in between flogging insurance & being a Celeb. Lopakhin is a wonderful role to play – a gift for a creative actor. I directed Tobias Menzies in my final production at Frensham Heights School. He played a concentration camp commandant chillingly & I’ve followeed his career with interest ever since.

jb says: I’ll see if I can find out where it goes after Sheffield, Dick.
PS. Doesn’t look as though it’s going anywhere at the moment. Perhaps you have to make the trip up north?

By: geoffrey philp

geoffrey philp — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:50:17 +0000

John, I once had a theatre workshop with Jonathan Miller at MDC a million years ago and I'm glad to hear that he has returned to the stage. He was brilliant, yet diffident in that thoroughly British way, and had a great sense of humor. Apropos of nothing, Lumley is my mother's maiden name and I once saw a production by a South African ensemble of The Cherry Orchard at the University of Birmingham when I was on tour with my book of short stories, Uncle Obadiah and the Alien. Cheers! jb says: Hi Geoffrey. There was an interview with Lumley in the Independent, where Miller comes in in a typically eccentric way. You might find it interesting.