The Cherry Orchard (2003)

The Cherry Orchard is simply one of the most enduring and endearing plays ever written. In early 1900s, Stanislavsky called it a tragedy, whilst Chekhov himself regarded it as a comedy. The truth, I suppose, is that it is a mixture of both.

I have always been afected by Russian culture - music, plays and prose. When I first read The Cherry Orchard some 35 years ago, the balance between the farcical complacency of the Gayev family, symbolising the old guard of Russian society, and the impending tragedy that they were to suffer, hit me squarely between the eyes. How could two people, Lyuba and Lenya, be so wonderful yet so stupid? And how wonderfully Chekhov had interwoven this storyline with the massive changes that were taking place in the country - changes that Chekhov seems to welcome.

Having directed mainly musicals until I was around 25, I decided, and was given the chance, to direct the play. I leapt at this opportunity, foolishly perhaps. I had underestimated the play's inherent difficulties and ended that experience somewhat disappointed. Ever since, when contemplating plays to direct, The Cherry Orchard has always been high on my list, not only because I wanted to try and "put things right", but also because the play, and its many characters, still fascinated me.

The play offers the director and, perhaps to a greater extent, its actors, a challenge to equal most onstage. It also offers them the thrill of facing this challenge. The challenge for me has been trying to bring to life these silly, wise, sad, crazy, ambitious, hopeless, lonely, brave and beautiful people. The play makes me feel incredibly sad about the individual human disaster, yet hopeful that the changes that are coming are going to make the world a better place. Whether we have been even partly successful is for you to judge.

I hope this time, to leave this play, maybe a little less disappointed than the last time. And, who knows, maybe there'll be a next time. I know that The Cherry Orchard will always be on my list and on my mind.

Colin Swift - Director