The Cherry Orchard

For every theatre student who has ever suffered through studying Anton Chekhov’s comic masterpiece The Cherry Orchard, finding it tedious and very unfunny, comes salvation in this local adaptation by Adriane Daff and Katherine Tonkin. Black Swan’s production for Perth Festival is set in South West WA, during the late 1980s, and this fresh and interesting adaptation finds the humour in its examination of humanity in the midst of a terrible situation.

Originally planned to play conventionally in the Heath Ledger Theatre during 2020, the postponement and search for a Covid-Safe performance solution led to this promenade style production, in and around buildings constructed in 1904, the year that The Cherry Orchard was first performed. Act One, entitled ‘A Homecoming’ is set in Ranyevskaya’s country home, under threat of a mortgagee auction. Performed with traverse staging, in the Sunset Precinct’s theatre space, the audience are very close to the action. Acts Two and Three, ‘A Family BBQ’ and ‘A Party’, take place in two very different outdoor locations, while the final act, ‘A Farewell’ sees the audience return to a vastly transformed home. While the choice to play in this style may almost have been serendipitous, the format works extremely well, connecting the audience to the space - an important theme within the show. 

The festival feel of this production is supported by Russian food and beverage options, a nod to the play’s origins, despite the more modern and local setting - and the food also comes highly recommended.

The ‘household’ are very nicely portrayed. Emily Rose Brennan is a lovely breath of fresh air as peppy maid Dunyasha, Sam Longley brings lovely tragic-comedy to the unfortunate accountant Yepikhopdov - including some lovely physical comedy. George Shevtstov, poster-boy for this production, is outstanding as elderly family retainer Firs - a beautifully poignant performance.

Ben Mortley is excellent and likeable as unconscious villain-of-sorts, wealthy neighbour Lopakhin, Mark Nannup gives us a fresh and indigenous perspective as university student Trofimov. Humphrey Bower brings high energy and a sense of pizazz to Piss-Cheek. Kieran Clancy Lowe gives layers as well as eye candy to Yasha, while the other member of the entourage, Michelle Fornasier’s Charlotta, has a slow descent that is fascinating and expertly crafted.

Dr Clint Bracknell gives us  dynamic, in your face composition and sound design, with strong nods to the 1980s, Lucy Birkinshaw’s lighting design is thoughtful and emotive in both indoor and outdoor locations. Zoë Atkinson’s costumes are a joy, including a wonderful sense of time, expert character crafting, and a costume party scene where every costume delights for a myriad of reasons.

A production that is a wonderfully immersive experience as well as a show, and brings a new perspective to a classic text.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Daniel J Grant.