Sinopse

Anton Chekhov's popularity in the west is without parallel for a foreign writer. He has been absorbed into our culture, and accepted as one of our own. His plays lend themselves easily to the stage, calling for actors with intelligence and common sense rather than a dramatic voice or histrionic skills. He takes from everyday life themes of frustration which apply to us all - the difficulty of carving out a happy existence, the problems of love, the fading of hope, the universal feeling that time passes and we never quite get things right.

This seems pessimistic, and yet Chekhov claimed he was writing comedy. Readers, actors and directors must decide for themselves which way to play these pieces. They are full of sadness, but a sadness described as the 'darkness of the last hour before the dawn'. Whether tragic or comic, however, they are works of the first importance. The Cherry Orchard has been described as 'the best play since Shakespeare', Three Sisters as 'the best play in the world'.

Nota biográfica

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, born on January 29, 1860, in Taganrog, Russia, is renowned as one of the greatest short story writers and playwrights in history. Raised in a modest family, Chekhov was influenced by his father's love for music and storytelling and his mother's vivid tales. He attended the Taganrog Gymnasium and later moved to Moscow in 1879 to join his family and study medicine at Moscow University, graduating in 1884. Throughout his life, Chekhov practiced medicine, often treating the poor for free, while simultaneously pursuing a prolific writing career.

Chekhov began writing humorous sketches and short stories to support his family during his university years. His early works, published under pseudonyms, gained popularity for their wit. However, as his writing evolved, he shifted to more serious themes, exploring the complexities of human nature and social issues. His first major collection, "At Dusk" (1887), won the Pushkin Prize, establishing him as a significant literary figure.

Chekhov's major plays, including "Ivanov" (1887), "The Seagull" (1896), "Uncle Vanya" (1899), and "Three Sisters" (1901), have had a lasting impact on modern theater. These works are celebrated for their deep character studies and exploration of ordinary life, demonstrating Chekhov's exceptional ability to capture the nuances of human experience.