The Cherry Orchard

The Cherry Orchard (1903) is Russian playwright and short story writer Anton Chekhovs final play. It was first performed at the Moscow Art Theatre in 1904, directed by acclaimed actor Konstantin Stanislavskiwho also played the role of Leonid Gayev, the bizarre and uninspired brother of Madame Ranevskaya. It has since become one of twentieth century theaters most importantand most frequently stageddramatic works.

After five years of living in Paris with her loverwhere she fled following the death of her young sonMadame Ranevskaya is brought back to her Russian estate by her daughter Anya. In her absence, Varya, Ranevskayas adopted daughter, has cared for the estate to the best of her ability, but the familys debts have forced them to put the house and its renowned cherry orchard up for auction. Leonid Gayev, Madame Ranevskayas brother, hopes to keep the estate, while Yermolai Lopakhina wealthy neighbor despite being born a peasantencourages the family to sell. Although they initially shelter Madame Ranevskaya, she soon discovers the truth and decidesagainst the familys wishesto throw a party none of them can afford. As the play reaches its tragic conclusion, the wealthy are forced to acknowledge their circumstances have changed, and the characters who depend on them for employment must do what they can to survive. The Cherry Orchard is a powerful drama that takes an unsparing appraisal of the massive shift in political and social circumstances undergone by Russians in the early twentieth century.

With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Anton Chekhovs The Cherry Orchard is a classic of Russian literature reimagined for modern readers.