The Cherry Orchard
15 May - 7 June
Festival Theatre
By Anton Chekhov
A version by Mike Poulton
Diana Rigg and Maureen Lipman
With Frank Finlay, William Gaunt, Jemma Redgrave and Michael Siberry
A comedy of grief and loss, The Cherry Orchard is one of the greatest plays of the twentieth century.
Still locked in grief, Mme Ranyevskaya returns for the first time to the country estate
where her young son drowned. The cherry trees, the pride of the province, are
in glorious blossom but the estate is now neglected and mortgaged to the hilt.
The cherry orchard must be sold and the trees cut down. The extraordinary cast
assembled for The Cherry Orchard is led by Diana Rigg (Macbeth, King Lear, and
Twelfth Night for the RSC, Jumpers, Mother Courage and Humble Boy for the
National Theatre and, most recently, All About My Mother at The Old Vic) as
Ranyevskaya and Maureen Lipman (Oklahoma! for the National Theatre,
Thoroughly Modern Millie in the West End, Re: Joyce and the film The Pianist )
as the governess Charlotta.
assembled for The Cherry Orchard is led by Diana Rigg (Macbeth, King Lear, and
Twelfth Night for the RSC, Jumpers, Mother Courage and Humble Boy for the
National Theatre and, most recently, All About My Mother at The Old Vic) as
Ranyevskaya and Maureen Lipman (Oklahoma! for the National Theatre,
Thoroughly Modern Millie in the West End, Re: Joyce and the film The Pianist )
as the governess Charlotta.
Frank Finlay was part of Laurence Olivier’s second and third Chichester
companies, playing in Saint Joan and The Workhouse Donkey in 1963
companies, playing in Saint Joan and The Workhouse Donkey in 1963
and Othello and The Dutch Courtesan in 1964. His many credits include the films
The Longest Day and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, the ground-
breaking television series Bouquet of Barbed Wire and, more recently, The Sins.
William Gaunt’s numerous theatre credits include Look Back in Anger,
William Gaunt’s numerous theatre credits include Look Back in Anger,
Albert Speer, Humble Boy and Henry V for the National Theatre and, more
recently, King Lear and The Seagull for the RSC and The Wild Duck at the
Donmar Warehouse.
Jemma Redgrave’s recent work in the West End includes Major Barbara and
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and her television credits include Bramwell
and Mansfield Park.
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Saturday 31 May 11am. FREE but book in advance on 01243 781312
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Tuesday 27 May- After words - Post Show Discussion with Philip Franks. Book by calling 01243 781312
Co-producers and sponsors
Last performance |
Audio described |
Signed |
Preview |
Spirit FM Preview |
Press night |
School's Matinee |
Charity Performance |
Post-show Talk |
Open University Previews £24 £18 Children under 18 half price
Previews & Press Night £11 £19 £25 £30
Evenings & Matinees £12 £20 £29 £33
Information
- This production has wheelchair access
- Post show meals are available
Click for more information - Running time: 2 hrs 30 mins
20 minutes - View seating plans
