Considered as one of the greatest playwrights to have ever lived, much like Shakespeare, Chekov can be quite an intimidating playwright. I’ve never read any of his plays before because I assumed the language would be dated and require lots of concentration and work to get through. But this new translation freshens up Chekov’s classic without losing his style or altering the original story, thrusting you into his Russia and helping you adapt to it with ease.
The subtle ‘modernising’ makes the language very natural and readable. Often ‘modernising’ a classic results in a complete ‘re-imagining’ that leaves only a trace of the original playwright’s story. But by making slight changes to the language so that it is attuned to a modern ear instead of drastically changing the story to fit our time, this translation allows you to experience Three Sisters exactly how Chekov wanted the first Russian audiences to experience it. For non-Russian speakers it’s probably the closest you’ll get to his own words.
A lively and accessible introduction to Chekov, now I can’t wait to see it brought to life on stage!
Reviewed by Hannah (Visitor Operations Supervisor)
Shop Three Sisters Playtext by Anton Chekhov
