Review: Ivanov
CHEKHOV’S IVANOV ASSURES
Anton Chekhov’s plays
Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters
and Kirsikkapuisto belong to the
the basic repertoire of theatres
around the world. Now
Helsinki City Theatre
Ivanov, which premiered
is Chekhov’s first long
play. Right from the start, there is
I have to say that the choice is
good and it only gets better when
The director of the play is
One of Europe’s most in-demand
instructors, who are especially known for their
Chekhov’s connoisseur.
Events of the play
will be located in Russia for one
to follow the life of the village community,
where personal relationships
are, like Chekhov, strongly
present. Ivanov’s life
doesn’t slip and he feels like he’s failed
and to be
outsider. In marriage, there are
problems and Ivanov enjoys
evenings in social circles, although
There, too, he knows himself
outsiders. The play
The narrative starts right at the beginning
in an interesting way
and takes you away from the first few minutes
and this
voltage lasts for more than three hours
– and a four-act – performance
I’m driving the viewer in his grip.
At least I did.
Director Tamas Ascheria
Not for nothing is recognized as one
the best of Chekhov’s
interpreter around the world, so
interesting are his
Many control solutions. Personnel guidance
is accurate – well
precise – and there’s something happening on stage
much separately and equally
time. Guidance is calm
and the events are internalized by the viewer
in the right order,
keeping the interest
from the beginning to the end.
Zsolt Khellin’s production is
A great solution with high boards
fences and as if
the impression of a hall would not immediately fit,
but not for a moment when you realize
how well the staging supports
the course of the play. Risto
Heikkerö’s lighting design is
continues the excellent set design and
inventive line. A great play
also visually.
It was a great feeling after the performance
after that something like this
you get to see something like this
– I liked it very much and it is
The play I want to see
again.