The Cherry Orchard

Published Tuesday 27 May 2008 at 19:10 by Michael Sell

In the later 19th century Russia saw great social change with the loss of aristocratic power and freedom from serfdom creating new relationships, and for many insecurity accompanied the loss of the structure of society.

The Ranevsky family has dissipated its wealth and estate, with its cherry orchard, is so heavily mortgaged that it has to be sold to pay the family debts. Diana Rigg, as Madam Ranevskaya is the epitome of the extravagant, ill-disciplined, warm aristocrat unable to see reality and to control expenditure. Her adopted daughter, Varya, played as a true symbol of practicality and reality by Jemma Redgrave also shows her vulnerability in her relationship with Lopakhin, an emancipated serf who has become an entrepreneur. Michael Siberry gives Lopakhin a splendidly mixed character, full of insecurity because of his past and strong in his personal wealth.

The old retainer, Firs, is magnificent and totally credible in the hands of Frank Finlay, and William Gaunt as the estate’s co-owner, Gayev gives a fine performance as one who has a habit of saying unfortunate things, but who eventually has the sense to accept work. Oliver Kieran-Jones plays Yasha as an arrogant, pretentious individual with no redeeming features and John Nettleton provides a good cameo of the impoverished landowner Pischik. Petya, the student, Simon Scardifield, is sufficiently intense and Anya Ranevskaya, Madam’s daughter, Charlotte Riley, and her eccentric governess, Ivanova who is great fun in the hands of Maureen Lipman, with Natalie Cassidy and Paul Chahidi completing the major roles.

This new adaptation by Mike Poulton directed by Philip Franks provides a good evening of theatre.