The Cherry Orchard

Anton Chekhov's last play 'The Cherry Orchard' is one of his best. Other favourites being 'Three Sisters' and 'Uncle Vanya'. It is a masterclass of complex characterisation and mood, while Chekhov's characters were not what one considers "likeable" they are complex and real and he was a master at creating vivid atmosphere. There are plenty of fantastic moments in Chekhov's text, his writing style was heavily criticised and scorned at in his day but it is not a problem with me, other than taking a bit of time initially to get used to the wordiness.

That it had a younger Judi Dench and Anton Lesser and Richard Eyre as director were also major interest points for this 1981 production of 'The Cherry Orchard'. Which on the whole was very good and moving, a more than worthy version of this great play. Just so good to see 'The Cherry Orchard' so well performed, full of emotional impact and generally true to Chekhov's intentions. It isn't perfect but as far as versions of the play goes it is up there with the best available.

It isn't perfect, have seen very few Chekhov adaptations that fit that distinction. The only real issue, but it is not an insignificant one unfortunately, were that the satirical elements could have been a lot stronger and sharper. It's there, just not strongly enough. When it comes to the drama, that is nailed here but not everybody remembers that Chekhov isn't all moody and serious, there is satirical humour in his plays and have seen adaptations and productions that miss that or don't emphasise it as strongly as ought. It is not as over serious though as the Alan Bates/Charlotte Rampling version though.

However, there is a huge amount to admire. It is extremely well acted all round, especially from poignant, sympathetic Dench and Bill Patterson on fierce form. It is very intelligently directed by Eyre, who really succeeds in making the drama vividly moving and intense and he does so well agreed at being true to Chekhov's specific intentions when it comes to the character interactions.

Really liked the intimate atmosphere, while the production is beautifully designed while not looking stagy. Chekhov's dialogue really shines without being too wordy and so does the very complex characterisation, where every nuance and trait is brought out. The ending did make me sob, this is an ending that always moves and it takes a lot for anybody to bungle it in my view. It's far from bungled here. Music is suitably haunting while not over emphasising.

Overall, very well done. 8/10.

Obvious, the great kick to see this version of play was admirable Judi Dench as Ranevskaia. Because it is one of characters defining, in so precise manner, the fall of a world, piece by piece, the fictional refuges and fragil resignations, the gentle egocentrism and the illusions as protective walls.

In same measure, I admired the inspired portrait of Lopahin proposed by Bill Paterson.

Not the last, the memories, from the first meeting with the play, in high school last years , to the version of Cornel Todea, with splendid performance of Gina Patrichi in the role of Ranevskaia and powerful, impressive, unique Lopahin of George Constantin was resurrected by this charming version.

Anyone who wants to willingly sit through The Cherry Orchard had better know what they're getting into. Every version I've seen is slightly different, and this version seems to do a very good job of giving everyone in the cast equal screen time. Yes, the story is about Madame Ranevsky, so we're all on alert whenever Judi Dench is on the screen, but everyone else gets his or her day in the sun, too.

Bill Paterson gets to be dismissed and disrespected until finally, he seeks his comeuppance. Anton Lesser is the blast from the past, who reminds Judi Dench of their sorrowful years in the past. It isn't bad enough she has to sell her property and see her beloved cherry trees chopped down - he has to constantly remind her about her dead son and make her cry! But she looks very lovely in this movie, so adding dewy eyes to quaffed hair, ornate gowns, and pretty eye makeup really isn't so bad. Anton has another reason for visiting, harboring a crush on Judi's daughter, Suzanne Burden. There's another romance added to the mix: Timothy Spall (looking very young in 1981!) is in love with Frances Low, but she thinks he's too low-brow and shy and prefers the more confident David Rintoul.

I would have loved to see Judi Dench playing the daughter in 1962, but YouTube only had the first fifteen minutes. It was a fun beginning, but I made sure to watch this one all the way through. I was able to understand most of it, so that's quite a compliment. If you have your CliffsNotes handy, you'll probably like this one.

I cannot believe that this exquisitely produced and consummately acted version of Chekhov's moving tragedy has only one review on IMDB: and that a two-sentence line and a half of a relatively minor aspect of the play.

Richard Eyre has masterfully directed some Shakespeare plays, but his instructions to the actors in this were spot on. So often, Chekhov has these self-involved entities talking to one another while the person who supposedly is being talked to is staring off in another direction, seemingly oblivious of the other person's feelings. This is so strongly in line with what Chekhov was getting at: the inability of humans to really communicate with one another, and again and again, the actors captured this.

Anton Lesser is scintillating as the young firebrand, Bill Paterson is impressive as the self-made 'son of peasants', Judi Dench is movingly sympathetic as the woman who cannot help herself to deal with reality and Timothy Spall bumbles his way through to a masterful performance of a character nobody else seems comfortable to be with. And these are only four of the many roles: each of which was recreated in a truly memorable manner.

Very, very moving.

This is a highwatermark for tenderness and human soul. How we cherish our youth and let it stay alive.