Chekhov Longs in the Ravine
A few bricks, a couple of chairs, some music and traditional Russian folksongs and voilà ! The little village of Ukleevo in late 19th century Russia is brought back to life. There, in the ravine, live poor wretches, exploited and abandoned by God, living their lives under the tender and compassionate gaze of Dr. Chekhov. A storyteller steps forward. He is soon accompanied by four women who portray the many characters of this comic, touching tale of a family of money-grubbing predators soon to be visited by misfortune.
With this new exploration of the incredible theatricality of Chekhov’s short stories, Michele Smith and Dean Gilmour, leading figures in the Toronto theatre scene, rely again on the richness of their impecunious theatre. They have created a simple and whimsical play, spare and powerfully evocative, spartan yet full of emotion. It is Chekhov, and thus throbbing with life.
ADAPTATION
DEAN GILMOUR
MICHELE SMITH AND THE COMPANY
DIRECTION
DEAN GILMOUR
MICHELE SMITH
ASSISTANTS TO THE DIRECTORS
MATT BARAM
PAM HALSTEAD
SET AND COSTUME DESIGN
VICTORIA WALLACE
LIGHTING DESIGN
KIMPERLEY PURTELL
SOUND DESIGN
DEREK BRUCE
STAGE MANAGER
ZOE CARPENTER
CAST
DEAN GILMOUR
MICHELE SMITH
ANN-MARIE KERR
MICHELLE LATIMER
MICHELLE MONTEITH
