Anton Chekhov's enduring play, 'The Cherry Orchard', often sparks debate over its true genre, with the playwright himself labelling it a comedy, despite initial directorial interpretations leaning towards tragedy. However, according to veteran theatre critic Michael Billington, British productions consistently master this inherent ambiguity, a quality he attributes to the UK's rich dramatic heritage, which embraces 'glorious impurity' in storytelling.
Billington, who has witnessed around 20 different stagings of the play, refutes the common critical cliché that British interpretations tend to sentimentalise 'The Cherry Orchard', reducing it to a mere lament for a declining aristocracy. Instead, he argues that the play's complex mix of styles and moods resonates strongly with British theatrical traditions, much like the works of Shakespeare, which frequently blend serious themes with comedic elements.
Highlighting specific examples, Billington recalls an RSC production from 1961, directed by Michel Saint-Denis, that was filled with laughter, particularly through John Gielgud's portrayal of Gaev. Yet, it also featured the profound sorrow of Dorothy Tutin's Varya, awaiting a marriage proposal that never materialised. Later productions, such as Michael Blakemore's version for the National Theatre and Mike Alfreds's radical 1985 staging, further cemented this ability to balance the play's emotional contradictions.
British actors, steeped in the tradition of Shakespeare, are particularly adept at navigating the sudden shifts in mood that are characteristic of Chekhov's writing. Billington cites Penelope Wilton's performance as Ranyevskaya in a 1995 RSC production, effortlessly transitioning from giggling imitations to grand duchess-like gestures. Similarly, Zoë Wanamaker's Ranyevskaya in Howard Davies's 2011 National production showcased a similar mastery of contrasting emotions.
The enduring appeal and successful interpretation of 'The Cherry Orchard' in the UK are set to continue with upcoming revivals. Helen Hunt and Kristin Scott Thomas are leading new productions, with a notable RSC staging featuring Helen Hunt and Kenneth Branagh anticipated in Stratford. These new productions will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing legacy of British theatre's nuanced approach to this classic.