Description
THE PIGEONS IN THE ORCHARD – AN ADAPTATION OF A CHEKHOV PLAY
We begin in the old Midwest – in Russia, of course. A once affluent family struggles to keep it all together after the passing of their parents. We are brought into the struggles of this family headed by big sister Olga, 30, middle sister Marsha 24, and Irina 18 who is the youngest. Olga holds on desperately to her family’s past and spend most of her time reminiscing about their old position. Marsha understands that things around them have changed though the constraints remain the same. We see this in her marriage to the apparently blundering and cuckhold Dumsky. Their brother Andrei marries the socially upward moving Natasha. But everything unravels for this family. And they must say goodbyes to their old ways and their family home which represents the past not only of this family but the history of many others in Russia in this adaptation of a Chekhov play.
This adaptation retains much of the original’s dual nature of comedy (sprinkled with a few elements of farce) and tragedy. It tackles the rise of the middle class. The family unit struggling to maintain its place among the upper-class, as the aristocracy is in decline. This play, which is loosely based on Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov, is a faithful adaptation.
Other plays by George Freek
What’s on your mind? -a comedy of the absurd about a mental patient
The Impostor – comedy about an estate agent trying to get it on with his boss’ wife
Author: George Freek
Type: Two-act play, adaptation of a Chekhov play
Genre: Comedy with elements of tragedy
Length: 70 minutes
Cast: 10: 5F, 5M
Ages of the actors: Late teens , mostly adult and one mature actress
Suitable for: All ages to watch and late teens to adults to perform
Set: The stage is divided into three areas: A living room in the center; on the right, a table and chairs, representing a dining-room and to the left, a desk and chair and a small bed, representing ANDREI’s room.
Level of difficulty: Getting the comedic elements as well as the nuances and behaviour of the people of the time period correct as well.
Read a Sample of the Script
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Copyright © August 2020 George Freek and Off The Wall Play Publishers
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