Anton Chekhov’s classic The Cherry Orchard is brought to life in a new adaption by Andrew Whittle and produced by Here To There Productions.
Nothing has changed here for as long as anyone can remember. Until now.
A new perspective on Anton Chekhov’s classic tragicomic drama about families and what happens to them when present-day reality intrudes upon their fantasies and memories of childhood.
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| Cassie Bancroft as Madame Lubov. |
Madame Lubov struggles to hold her family together and save her house and beloved cherry orchard from being sold in a world that is changing faster and further than she can begin to comprehend and where the downstairs staff no longer seem to know their place.
Set in the very early years of the last century the play captures the dying moments of the Russian aristocracy before revolution would sweep them completely aside.
Ahead of the run we caught up with director Jasmine Arden-Brown and leading actress Cassie Bancroft who plays Madame Lubov.
What can you tell me about the show?
Jasmine Arden-Brown (director): The Cherry Orchard was originally written in 1904 by Anton Chekhov, and is considered by many to be his best. It weaves together many stories about the people living and working on a once grand Russian estate in the early 20th Century, during a time of massive social change, which itself brings about a lot of tension!
Jasmine Arden-Brown (director): The Cherry Orchard was originally written in 1904 by Anton Chekhov, and is considered by many to be his best. It weaves together many stories about the people living and working on a once grand Russian estate in the early 20th Century, during a time of massive social change, which itself brings about a lot of tension!
What can you tell me about the role of Mme Lubov?
Cassie Bancroft (Lubov): Lubov is the fun loving, kind, head of the family, she’s seen as quite the celebrity by the community. She loves the high life, expensive lunches, Parisian fashion, and men! She definitely has a naughty side! But a past trauma has left her with a darkness that could be triggered at any moment…
Cassie Bancroft (Lubov): Lubov is the fun loving, kind, head of the family, she’s seen as quite the celebrity by the community. She loves the high life, expensive lunches, Parisian fashion, and men! She definitely has a naughty side! But a past trauma has left her with a darkness that could be triggered at any moment…
Why do you think this production is relevant to a 2024 audience?
Jasmine: The dramas are incredibly human and universal; the consequences of inaction, unrequited love, the dark side of ambition, a sense of time running out, grief, joy, anxiety, friendship. All the characters feel somehow recognisable in who they are and what they're each going through.
Cassie: Good stories and writing stand the test of time, that’s why it’s such a gift to be able to bring classics to new audiences. This adaptation has a few surprises that keep the incredible writing of Chekhov but with a fresh modern day twist.
Jasmine: The dramas are incredibly human and universal; the consequences of inaction, unrequited love, the dark side of ambition, a sense of time running out, grief, joy, anxiety, friendship. All the characters feel somehow recognisable in who they are and what they're each going through.
Cassie: Good stories and writing stand the test of time, that’s why it’s such a gift to be able to bring classics to new audiences. This adaptation has a few surprises that keep the incredible writing of Chekhov but with a fresh modern day twist.
How have you gone about finding your own version of Mme Lubov?
Cassie: I hadn’t read the play, and try never to watch anyone else playing the same role. I like to experience the script as if the words and feelings are my own, and see what occurs naturally. The incredible clarity of the actors around me made it so much easier for me to work out each relationship and understand her.
Cassie: I hadn’t read the play, and try never to watch anyone else playing the same role. I like to experience the script as if the words and feelings are my own, and see what occurs naturally. The incredible clarity of the actors around me made it so much easier for me to work out each relationship and understand her.
How do you approach bringing your own creative vision to this piece?
Jasmine: When I read Andrew Whittle's adaptation earlier this year, I saw so much colour and humanity, and the humour lifted it off the page. It was giving some serious Downton Abbey vibes, and my vision became one of light and dark, and strong relationships between the characters.
Jasmine: When I read Andrew Whittle's adaptation earlier this year, I saw so much colour and humanity, and the humour lifted it off the page. It was giving some serious Downton Abbey vibes, and my vision became one of light and dark, and strong relationships between the characters.
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| Anya, Gaev, Varya (Lucy Sheree Cooper, James Parsons, Elena Thomas) |
What research have you had to do to help you bring the piece to life?
Jasmine: I had to educate myself on the time period, which Andrew Whittle has nudged forward to 1914. I looked at technology, fashion, social conventions, and the recent historical events that might have been present in the characters' minds.
What has been the biggest challenges in developing the production?
Cassie: I’ll leave this one to Jas, but I imagine negotiating 13 actors schedules and availability was probably a logistical nightmare lol
Jasmine: Being at the centre of a highly complex web has meant that co-ordinating the efforts of so many people has been quite the mammoth task. But the skills and experience of my production team have helped a great deal to keeping everything in order.
Cassie: I’ll leave this one to Jas, but I imagine negotiating 13 actors schedules and availability was probably a logistical nightmare lol
Jasmine: Being at the centre of a highly complex web has meant that co-ordinating the efforts of so many people has been quite the mammoth task. But the skills and experience of my production team have helped a great deal to keeping everything in order.
When did you know that you wanted a career in the arts?
Jasmine: I think I was fourteen when I learned that Drama classes and clubs didn't only lead to a fun hobby, but to a possible career. When my Drama teacher told me it would be hard and unlikely to make me rich or famous, it still didn't put me off.
Cassie: I was obsessed with Gene Kelly as a child, I would watch film after film but in East London you had to get a job and earn money, so I did, from 16 I worked and worked until when I was 32 I finally had enough saved to put myself through drama school. (I paid my first term with a bag of crumpled £5 notes lol) My showcase went better than I could ever have hoped with 13 offers from agents.
What keeps you inspired?
Jasmine: Everyday life. When I'm out in public, I keep my eyes and ears open to life's little stories. I try to really listen to my friends and family, and regularly practice putting myself in other people's shoes.
Cassie: People who are passionate about what they do, there’s no better inspiration than being in a scene with another actor who inspires you to raise your game. What it creates can be electric.
Jasmine: I think I was fourteen when I learned that Drama classes and clubs didn't only lead to a fun hobby, but to a possible career. When my Drama teacher told me it would be hard and unlikely to make me rich or famous, it still didn't put me off.
Cassie: I was obsessed with Gene Kelly as a child, I would watch film after film but in East London you had to get a job and earn money, so I did, from 16 I worked and worked until when I was 32 I finally had enough saved to put myself through drama school. (I paid my first term with a bag of crumpled £5 notes lol) My showcase went better than I could ever have hoped with 13 offers from agents.
What keeps you inspired?
Jasmine: Everyday life. When I'm out in public, I keep my eyes and ears open to life's little stories. I try to really listen to my friends and family, and regularly practice putting myself in other people's shoes.
Cassie: People who are passionate about what they do, there’s no better inspiration than being in a scene with another actor who inspires you to raise your game. What it creates can be electric.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing this production?
Cassie: I just want the audience to relax and be entertained, it would be nice to think that any who come with the idea that Chekhov is heavy and depressing go home with a completely different view after seeing how much comedy and happiness Jas has injected into our adaptation.
Jasmine: I hope that they will walk away having felt the highest highs and lowest lows of this brilliant classic. A heart that has been warmed and thrilled and pulled in every direction.
Cassie: I just want the audience to relax and be entertained, it would be nice to think that any who come with the idea that Chekhov is heavy and depressing go home with a completely different view after seeing how much comedy and happiness Jas has injected into our adaptation.
Jasmine: I hope that they will walk away having felt the highest highs and lowest lows of this brilliant classic. A heart that has been warmed and thrilled and pulled in every direction.
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| Dunyasha, Firs, Yasha (Pearl Schomberg, Melvyn Rawlinson, David Hubball) |
Jasmine: We'll be playing at The Swan Theatre in Worcester (29-31 Aug), The Courtyard Theatre in Hereford (3-7 Sep) and the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury (10-14 Sep), with a matinee on each Saturday.
Tickets are available from https://heretothereproductions.co.uk/book-now/
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