Customer Reviews

Chekhov: The Four Major Plays: Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters, Cherry Orchard

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I've been reading and studying these plays for years now, and have read through and worked out of numerous different translations. Curt Columbus' versions of these four mighty plays are exceedingly well done. They are eminently actable and highly accessible to a modern audience. Yes, he does make some small adjustments, notably choosing to call each character by one consistent name, instead of using all of the various forms. Purists may scoff, but it removes a barrier to understanding for a modern theatregoer. Highly recommended for anyone directing Chekhov or teaching it to students.

I was doing a showcase performance that included scenes from the Seagull and the Cherry Orchard. We were given scripts and began working, but it wasn't until I read Curt Columbus's translation that it really clicked inside my head what was happening. This book is a great tool for an actor or just to read, and provides a more modern take on the material. Somewhere between all the English translations lies the essence of the original Russian stories. I recommend reading as many different translations as possible.