Actonians Drama Group

Synopsis

Anton Chekov completed "The Cherry Orchard" late in 1902, by now seriously ill with tuberculosis, and sent it off to The Moscow Arts Theatre. It was not a happy production. He himself perceived the play as a Comedy, but Stanislavsky, his director, insisted that it was a tragedy. The two continued working at cross purposes till the bitter end. In spite of, or perhaps because of, this disagreement, the opening in 1904 was an immediate and immense success. Indeed, "The Cherry Orchard" demonstrates an exquisite balance of tragedy and farce with which Chekhov so skilfully imbued his mature plays.

Three months later, quite near death, Chekhov went to a German Spa on the orders of his Doctor, where he died in the July. He was just 44 years of age.