THE CHERRY ORCHARD
BY ANTON CHEKHOV,
ADAPTED BY DAVID MAMET
26 APRIL – 28 MAY
“The Orchard will either be sold or not sold. The causes of it are long in the past.”
An aristocratic family, on the brink of financial ruin, must come to terms with the sale of their land to an upstart developer and the loss of their beloved cherry orchard, the finest in the district.
For Lyubov Ranevskaya, her brother, her daughters and their servants, losing the property will mean the end of a way of life which no longer holds any joy but to which they still desperately cling.
Chekhov’s masterful tragicomedy, rich in observation of human nature, is a powerful study of our relationship to time and place.
In David Mamet’s bold adaptation, characterised by his distinctive sardonic tone, edgy rapid-fire dialogue and manipulative characters, we come to see the play in new and surprising ways: as an audacious exposition of frustrated sexuality.
In this world, no one is happy in love or life and in the end, as the axe falls, reality bites for all concerned.
“Blows a gust of fresh air into the old play” The Sentinel
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Clemence Williams
Costume & Set Designer Jonathan Hindmarsh
Lighting Designer Benjamin Brockman
Sound Designer Eliza Scott
Assistant Director Claudia Osborne
Dramaturg Thomas De Angelis
Production Manager Mark Nagle
CAST
Alex Bryant-Smith, Sarah Chadwick, Finn Davis, Miranda Daughtry, Bella Debbage, Jasper Garner Gore, Brett Heath, Cecilia Morrow, Nicholas Papademetriou, Eliza Scott, Josephine Starte, Sam Trotman, Benjamin Vickers
TIMES
Previews Tue 26 & Wed 27 Apr, 7:30pm
Thu – Sat 7:30pm, Sun 5pm
Final performance, Sat 28 May 5pm
TICKETS
Full $32 | Concession $27 | Groups (10+) $27 | Members $22 | Previews $17 | Student Rush $17 | Thrifty Thursdays $17
★★★★ The Music
“Mamet’s version of Chekhov’s great tragi-comedy feels more than a little relevant in today’s times” Sydney Arts Guide
“The ensemble is stellar in their command of the stage … A thought provoking and beautiful production … Go get lost in a Russian winter” To Flaneur
“Engaging production … David Mamet’s snappy translation gives focus to the characters’ stories” Stage Whispers
“A divergent and intriguing rendition of the Chekhov classic, a modern interpretation that is both bold and engaging”Theatre Now
“Seamlessly plays with the duality of silliness and seriousness in Chekhov’s ironically funny and yet tragic play” Lip Mag
“A great classic story told with love and humour” The Buzz From Sydney
Photos © Bob Seary
Main image © Richard Hedger