This new venture from international companies brings Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard to the Old Vic in 2009. The Bridge Group is the company presenting the show which will bring to the mix an excellent cast under the acclaimed direction of Sam Mendes, the theatre and Academy Award winning film director responsible for the likes of American Beauty and Road To Perdition. Brooklyn’s Academy of Music, Neal Street Productions and the Old Vic also combine to bring the show to London’s West End.
The Cherry Orchard, by Anton Chekhov originally premiered at the Moscow Art Theatre on his 44th birthday, 17th January 1904, which was only six months before his death. This meant that it was the last play by the Russian playwright. The show follows the aristocratic Russian Madame Ranevskaya as she returns to her country house. She is happy to be home, particularly as the cherry orchard is still there unchanged. But how long can it last for? With the family in financial hardship they may need to sell the land off to cover the mortgage. The play deals with the choices Ranevskaya and her family must face in the Russian climate of the time.
Director Sam Mendes has achieved enviable success over the years. He hadn’t even turned twenty five when he directed Judi Dench in a previous incarnation of The Cherry Orchard. He’s also had the privilege of directing plays for the Royal Shakespeare Company including The Tempest and Richard III. After this he directed The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice (which was adapted into the movie Little Voice with Jane Horricks) as well as Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party. He is perhaps best known for directing the movies American Beauty, Jarhead, Road To Perdition and the upcoming Revolutionary Road. In 2003 he founded Neal Street productions, which is helping to bring The Cherry Orchard to the stage.
Simon Russell Beale appears as Yermolai Alexeievitch Lopakhin, a rich merchant. Beale has worked with Mendes on previous occasions, including work for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. The play also stars the likes of Rebecca Hall and Ethan Hawke.
The show is adapted by Tom Stoppard with design by Anthony Ward. Costumes are by Catherine Zuber with lighting by Paul Pyant, sound by Paul Arditti and music by Mark Bennett.
The Cherry Orchard is at the Old Vic from Saturday 23rd May 2009 to Saturday 15th August 2009.