La Cérisaie: a performance that feels like a workshop might need a director!

The Cherry Orchard
A  TG Stan production, NAC French theatre

There are probably few plays as challenging, thrilling and intriguing for
artists as The Cherry Orchard. It’s been a little over a century that theater directors have been trying to decide whether it is a tragedy, comedy, or something in between. Anton Chekhov himself intended to write a  comedy, but Konstantin Stanislavski, who was the first director to put the  play on stage in 1904 in Moscow believed it to be a tragedy. So, it’s been  more than 100 years that one of the greatest dramas by one of the greatest  playwrights of all time keeps changing genre and mood, and being  interpreted and reinvented by numerous theater artists all over the world.

But, that is exactly as it should be, because great plays are always much  deeper than what meets the eye, and therefore, open to interpretation. Belgian company STAN brought to the Ottawa NAC stage a modern take on the  old drama. The famous orchard, as a symbol of a glorious time, and its the  aristocratic

The audience witnesses its last days, as the agony, hope and love
of those whose lives revolve around it unfold. The minimalistic set,
consisting of a few panels, a big table and a few stools, is a perfect
setting that shifts the focus on play’s symbols and the depth of its
meaning. Wisely-chosen costumes define personalities and underline the  timeless nature of the play. Light depicts the passing of time through day  and night, and the music is just right for the mood of the moment.

Mostly  superb acting also creates a very natural and casual atmosphere. It seems  that everything is very, very good, but still…there is something missing.

Yes, it is wonderful to see old classics transported to modern times.
Making them relevant today is definitely the best way to reach young  audiences. STAN’s interpretation of Chekhov is fresh, lively and  energetic. It speaks to all of us, young and old. STAN boasts that they  direct their plays as a collective, so, no director. That is not a bad  approach by itself, unless it leaves a thing or two unresolved. Could that  be the problem the Belgian troop faces? Maybe a cohesive direction is the  missing element?Although all elements of the play are good and well executed, from time to  time there is a feeling that the play resembles more a workshop that a  serious, well-rounded show. There are two major reasons for that. The  first problem is the transitions, which are often too fast. As a result,  the more subtle feelings and messages are lost. This leaves the audience  untouched. The prevailing tone is too casual to reach very far. Do these  people feel anything? Are they really frustrated, worried, in love, or do  they say that they feel so just for saying’s sake? It is hard to tell.

Actors do not allow the necessary time or space to answer those questions.  Additionally, there are scenes where the connection between characters is  completely missing. For instance, there is a disconnect when the daughter  Anja is trying to console her mother, while she makes eye contact solely  with someone in the audience. Regardless of the approach – modern, classic  or experimental – to create an atmosphere or reality, actors should stay  connected at all times and on all levels, eye contact included.Changing the set in which everybody takes part, does not help, either.  Often it is too long and overall disruptive. The introduction of light   comedy during these changes does a disservice to the playwright. “The  Cherry Orchard” might be a comedy, but it is not a light one. Actually, it  is anything but that. There is a depth and heaviness in this play – the  reason why it is seen by some as a tragedy – so that introducing light  entertainment in it, downgrades the play.

STAN’s version of The Cherry Orchard has a lot to be admired – excellent  acting, vision, and great energy. Still, with good direction, it might be  a much better performance. Whether they need a director, or just broader knowledge and more directing  experience –  it is for them to decide.

Written by Anton ChekhovTG STAN