Critic Michael Billington has seen Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard approximately 20 times and argues that British productions excel because the play's blend of comedy and tragedy aligns with the nation's dramatic heritage. As new revivals starring Helen Hunt and Kristin Scott Thomas approach, Billington reflects on the enduring debate over the play's genre.
The Comedy vs. Tragedy Debate
Chekhov himself described the play as "not a drama but a comedy, in places almost a farce," while Stanislavski, director of the 1904 Moscow premiere, insisted it was a tragedy. Billington criticises the cliché that British productions sentimentalise the play as a lament for a pseudo-Edwardian aristocracy, asserting that British interpretations generally capture its essence well.
Notable British Productions
Billington recalls the 1961 RSC production directed by Michel Saint-Denis, where John Gielgud's Gaev brought laughter with his absurd claim, "I shall be a financier," while Dorothy Tutin's Varya conveyed haunted sorrow awaiting an unfulfilled proposal. Michael Blakemore's 1970s National Theatre version highlighted the historical inevitability of the orchard's destruction, with humour from Trofimov's struggle with galoshes. Mike Alfreds' 1985 National production featured Ian McKellen's Lopakhin gloatingly whirling keys before comforting Sheila Hancock's weeping Ranyevskaya.
British Actors and Shifts in Mood
British actors, steeped in Shakespeare, excel at sudden mood shifts. Penelope Wilton's Ranyevskaya in the 1995 RSC production giggled about eating crocodiles in Paris then extended her hand for a kiss like a grand duchess. Zoë Wanamaker's 2011 National performance, directed by Howard Davies, showed contradictions by calling Trofimov "retarded" then offering consoling embraces.
Peter Stein's Haunting Production
Despite British successes, Billington cites Peter Stein's 1989 Berlin Schaubühne production as haunting, describing it as "Tragedy. Comedy. Pastoral. Farce." Stein's farce included Gogolian absurdity with mismatched dancers, while the pastoral element was epitomised by a breathtaking view of white cherry blossom, underscoring the family's attachment to the estate.
Upcoming Productions
With new productions at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon (10 July-29 August) and the Harold Pinter Theatre in London (3 October-9 January), starring Helen Hunt and Kristin Scott Thomas respectively, Billington concludes that the time is ripe for more Cherry Orchards, affirming British affinity for Chekhov's masterpiece.
