6/30/2023 0 Comments Chekhov a visit to friends book![]() ![]() ![]() Then there’s the issue of whether it’s better to have commercial or artistic success Irina is a famous actress, ageing but still convinced of her talent whereas Nina is younger and determined to make her name in new, modern works. This can be, and often is, humorous, but it leads to some real heartbreak and unhappy relationships. Obviously there’s a staggering amount of high emotion in the play, with everyone yearning after someone who has no interest in them. I have to say first of all that I was surprised to find “The Seagull” described as a comedy, because although there *is* humour in it, there’s a lot of darker stuff. Once there’s love in the heart, it should be thrown out. The performance does not go well, leading to all sorts of fallings out, and the love triangles continue to become more complicated, getting even more tangled when two characters actually find themselves in love with each other! But jealousy, fickle feelings and reality will get in the way of any real happiness and the death of a titular seagull will foreshadow later tragedy. ![]() Irina’s son, Treplev, has written a new modern play which is being staged in the grounds, Nina, a young woman from a neighbouring estate, is taking the leading role. His sister, the famous actress Irina Arkadina, is in residence along with her young lover, the writer Boris Trigorin. The play takes place on the country estate of Pyotr Sorin. Life should be portrayed not as it is, and not as it should be, but as it is being imagined in dreams. His original intention was to present the play in theatres the pandemic, of course, has rather got in the way of that plan… However, his version is published this year and he was kind enough to offer an ARC of the book – which I was very keen to read!Ĭhekhov described his play as a comedy with “ …Many conversations about literature, little action, and five poods of love.” As the publicity material goes on to reveal, “ Medvedenko loves Masha, Masha loves Treplev, Treplev loves Nina, and Nina loves Trigorin, all while Shamrayev loves Polina Andreyevna, Polina Andreyevna loves Dorn, Dorn loves Arkadina, and Arkadina loves Trigorin.” Phew! That is indeed a lot of unrequited love! The new version is translated/adapted by Anton Korenev, a Russian director and actor who is also an attorney in New York. Here I must make a confession – despite having read and loved many, many of Chekhov’s short stories, I can’t be sure if I’ve ever read any of his plays… (*gasps of horror from the audience*) So when I was offered the chance to read a new translation of “The Seagull” I did of course jump at it… D It’s been a little while since we had any Russians here on the Ramblings, so what better way to greet a grey January than with some time spent with that country’s greatest playwright – Anton Chekhov! (I don’t think anyone would argue with that sweeping statement, although Russia has some amazing authors who’ve written plays). ![]()
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