Theatre of Nations: Ivanov

Part of a stellar Russian ensemble, Evgeny Mironov plays the title role in this contemporary update of Anton Chekhov’s potent psychological drama about human failings.

Groaning under financial debt, coping with the stress of a dying wife, and thinking of betraying his marriage vows, office worker Ivanov is full of self-loathing. A brooding presence surrounded by an intriguing company of sharply drawn characters – among them a devoted love interest, a brutally honest family doctor and a wastrel uncle – he is losing control of his life and ill-prepared to find a way out.

Russian director Timofey Kulyabin approaches Chekhov’s play with fierce insight and relentless drive, drawing out luminous performances that set the stage alight. Complete with a frivolous, sparkler-waving, heavy-drinking party scene, the production brings fresh perspective to the text while retaining its keen observation and comedic eye for detail. It was hailed in New York as ‘a spectacle of mind and sight’ (Front Row Center).

Creative team
Timofey Kulyabin Director
Oleg Golovko Set Design, Costume
Denis Solntsev Lighting
Roman Dolzhanskiy Dramaturgy

Cast: Evgeny Mironov, Chulpan Khamatova, Viktor Verzhbitskiy, Igor Gordin, Natalya Pavlenkova, Elizaveta Boyarskaya, Dmitry Serdyuk, Alexander Novin, Marianna Shults, Olga Lapshina, Aleksey Kalinin, Ilya Orshanskiy, Irina Gordina, Andrey Andreev

Performed in Russian with English surtitles

See also:

7 – 9 October: Theatre of Nations: Shukshin’s Stories