The Cherry Orchard
by Anton Chekhov translation by Michael Frayn
"Frayn's translation, which strikes me as splendidly lucid and alive...will be acted again and again" (New Statesman).
In Chekhov's tragi-comedy - perhaps his most popular play - the Gayev family is torn by powerful forces deeply rooted in history and the society in which they live. Their estate is hopelessly in debt and when urged to cut down their beautiful cherry orchard and sell the land for holiday cottages, they are confronted by an impossible decision. "At the time when The Cherry Orchard was written, the years before the revolution of 1905, Chekhov considered revolution in Russia irreversible and desirable."
ACT Diploma in Acting Yr2 Students Public Show
Related upcoming events
-
27/06/2024 7:30 pm - 29/06/2024 9:30 pmRoad
'Road' explores the lives of a small, close-knit community living in the eponymous 'road' in a working class, Lancashire town during the era of the 1980's Thatcher government - a time of high unemployment, civil unrest and deprivation.The action takes place over the course of one evening as the residents of the road prepare to go out to the pub and then on home afterwards. Despite its explicit nature, it was considered extremely effective in portraying the desperation of people's lives at this time, as well as containing a great deal of gritty, Northern humour.A passionate, poetic and positive portrayal of working class life wherein in the audience is invited to follow the narrator, Scullery, as he travels along the road, visiting the different homes of the characters and getting messy in the local pub.'Road' is the first play written by Jim Cartwright, and was first produced in 1986. The play was initially performed at the Royal Court Theatre "Upstairs", with Edward Tudor-Pole as Scullery, moving "Downstairs" in 1987 with Ian Drury as the narrator. It was later made for television by renowned director Alan Clarke and starred many young actors who later became well-known including Jane Horrocks, David Thewlis, Moya Brady and Lesley Sharp. The play has won numerous awards including the George Devine Award, Plays and Players Award and the Samuel Beckett Award.
-
13/07/2024 7:00 pm - 14/07/2024 8:00 pmThe IT
By Vivienne Franzmann
A teenage girl has something growing inside her. She doesn't know what it is, but she knows it's not a baby. It expands. It has claws. Eventually it takes over the entirety of her body.
No one must know about it. She has to keep its presence, its possession of her, concealed. She pulls away from her friends. She refuses to speak, in case 'The IT' is heard. But she can't contain it forever. Sooner or later something's got to give...Presented in the style of a direct-address documentary, Vivienne Franzmann's The IT is a darkly comic state-of-the-nation play exploring adolescent mental health and the rage within.
Presented by ACT Youth Theatre
Directed by Alice Elliott
-
29/08/2024 7:30 pm - 29/08/2024 8:30 pmBeryl & Clive, Sing or Die (Their Musical)
Beryl & Clive, Sing or Die (Their Musical) is a comedy about relationships, believing in yourself & the determination it takes to follow your creative dreams, especially when you might not fit in with modern conventions!
Step into the vibrant world of Beryl & Clive, who are rewriting the rulebook with their offbeat antics and unwavering commitment to following their creative dreams. This quirky couple's quest for self-discovery and mutual understanding forms the heartwarming backdrop for a hilarious tale that delves deep into relationships, the empowering force of self-belief, and the transformative magic of embracing your true self.
“Not just funny, hilarious..." (James Pearson Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club)
This play blends clown, music, and dance to create a hilarious and uplifting story told by a talented cast of artists, and partnering with top- notch mentors, like James Pearson (Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club), Petra Massey (Spymonkey, BBC2) and Caroline Mummery (Royal Ballet School),
Beryl & Clive’ stands as a testament to the magic of collaborative creativity and the profound impact of storytelling.