YOUNG CHEKHOV: THE BIRTH OF A GENIUS
PLATONOV
IVANOV
THE SEAGULL
by Anton Chekhov
in new versions by David Hare
Director Jonathan Kent
Until 14 November
Press Performances: 17 October
Festival Theatre, Chichester
- PRODUCTION IMAGES RELEASED TODAY FOR YOUNG CHEKHOV SEASON AT CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE
- DIRECTED BY JONATHAN KENT AND NEWLY ADAPTED BY DAVID HARE, 23 ACTORS PLAY 50 PARTS ACROSS THREE PLAYS
Production pictures are released today for a major new season of Anton Chekhov’s early works at Chichester Festival Theatre. Newly adapted by David Hare and directed by Jonathan Kent, the productions, which open on 17 October, present a unique theatrical event which will see a repertory cast of 23 actors performing 50 parts in Platonov, Ivanov and The Seagull. For the first time ever on this scale audiences will be given the opportunity to see all three shows in close proximity performed by the same group and with the same creative team.
Currently in previews, the Young Chekhov cast have worked together on the productions for over three months. The cast includes Emma Amos, Nebli Basani, Lucy Briers, Pip Carter, Anna Chancellor, Jonathan Coy, Nicholas Day, Mark Donald, Peter Egan, Col Farrell, Joshua James, Beverley Klein, Adrian Lukis, Des McAleer, James McArdle, Mark Penfold, Brian Pettifer, Nina Sosanya, Sarah Twomey, David Verrey, Olivia Vinall, Samuel West and Jade Williams.
Each of the three plays can be seen as a single performance or they can be enjoyed as one event, either over different days or as one intense theatrical experience on Trilogy Days. With over 5,000 tickets at £10 available across the Young Chekhov season, audiences can see all three plays for as little as £30.
This season within a season is anchored by a trio of talent – Chekhov himself, playwright David Hare, and director Jonathan Kent, returning to Chichester following his triumphant production of Gypsy in Festival 2014. Young Chekhov reunites Kent and Hare who have previously collaborated on productions for the Almeida Theatre.
These three plays, written when Anton Chekhov was young, offer a new perspective on the dramatist, revealing a youthful anger and romanticism that is very different to his mature, more familiar work.
David Hare’s numerous credits include the world premiere of South Downs at Chichester (also West End), the National Theatre’s trilogy of plays about British institutions, Racing Demon,Murmuring Judges and The Absence of War, adaptations such as The Blue Room (Donmar Warehouse and Broadway), Behind The Beautiful Forevers, also for the National Theatre and his forthcoming new production The Moderate Soprano (Hampstead Theatre). He is also an acclaimed screenwriter and has received Academy Award nominations for The Hours and The Reader.
Director Jonathan Kent returns to Chichester following his acclaimed productions of Gypsy,Private Lives and Sweeney Todd, all of which transferred to the West End. Other credits include Good People (Hampstead Theatre and West End), Oedipus (National Theatre), Don Giovanni and The Fairy Queen (both for Glyndebourne).
Young Chekhov: The Birth of A Genius is sponsored by Wiley. The Seagull is sponsored by De’Longhi.
Events
Writer David Hare and director Jonathan Kent will be in conversation with novelist and CFT biographer Kate Mosse at a pre-show talk on Thursday 15 October at 5.45pm. Tickets are free but booking is essential.
Meet some of the Young Chekhov company at a post-show talk hosted by writer Simon Brett on Wednesday 21 October.
There will be a rehearsed reading of Anton Chekhov’s Swan Song on Saturday 31 October at 11am. This vaudeville piece about an old actor and his prompter was adapted from one of Chekhov’s own stories, and established his reputation in the theatre in 1888.
Join the technical crew and creative team for 90 minutes of insight, demonstration and discussion on the making of the Young Chekhov trilogy at a Schools Theatre Day on Wednesday 4 November at 11am. Tickets £13.50, which includes the matinee performance.
Booking information
The Young Chekhov season is at the Festival Theatre until 14 November. Performance times vary. Tickets from £10. To book, go to cft.org.uk or contact the Box Office on 01243 781312.
Special Prices for 16 – 25s
An allocation of tickets for 16 – 25 year olds priced at just £8.50 for all performances of theYoung Chekhov season are now on sale. These may be booked on 01243 781312, online at cft.org.uk/850 or in person.