The Cherry Orchard − Learning Pack Contents About This Pack ................................................................1 Background Information ..................................................2 Teaching Information ........................................................3 Plot Synopsis with Timecodes .........................................5 Find Out More..................................................................12 1 The Cherry Orchard − Learning Pack About This learning pack supports the National Theatre’s production of The Cherry Orchard, directed by Howard Davies, which opened on 18th May 2011 at the National’s Olivier Theatre in London. Our packs are designed to support viewing the recording on the National Theatre Collection. This pack provides links to the UK school curriculum and other productions in the Collection. It also has a plot synopsis with timecodes to allow you to jump to specific sections of the play. 1 The Cherry Orchard − Learning Pack Background Information Recording Date – 30th June, 2011 Location – Olivier Theatre, National Theatre Age Recommendation – 12+ Cast Dunyasha ..........................................................Emily Taaffe Lopakhin ............................................................Conleth Hill Anya .....................................................................Pip Carter Ranyevskaya ............................................Charity Wakefield Varya...........................................................Zoë Wanamaker Gaev ..............................................................Claudie Blakley Charlotta .................................................. James Laurenson Simyonov-Pishchik .......................................Tim McMullan Yasha ..................................................................Gerald Kyd Firs ...........................................................Kenneth Cranham Petya Trofimov ............................................... Mark Bonnar A Passer-by..........................................................Craige Els The Station master............................................Paul Dodds Ensemble.................................................Mark Fleischmann Ensemble........................................................... Colin Haigh Ensemble.......................................................Jessica Regan Ensemble..........................................................Tim Samuels Ensemble.................................................Stephanie Thomas Ensemble................................................. Joseph Thompson Ensemble...................................................... Rosie Thomson Ensemble.............................................................Ellie Turner Creative Team Director ....................................................... Howard Davies Author ......................................................... Anton Chekhov Adaptor ..........................................................Andrew Upton Designer ........................................................Bunny Christie Lighting Designer ..............................................Neil Austin Music .....................................................Dominic Muldowney Sound Designer ..........................................Paul Groothuis Choreographer .................................................. Lynne Page 2 The Cherry Orchard − Learning Pack Teaching Information This production is particularly suitable for: • Drama and theatre students studying the play for A ‘Level. • Students studying 19th century drama, including the work of Anton Chekhov. • Drama and theatre students studying Constantin Stanislavski as a theatre practitioner. In particular you might like to explore: • Andrew Upton’s adaptation, in particular his use of contemporary language and how this impacts on the social, historical and political context of the play. • How the set and costume design help to create the world of the play 3 The Cherry Orchard − Learning Pack Teaching Information There are a number of other productions in the National Theatre Collection that relate to this one, which you and your students may wish to explore alongside it. Other 20th century classics Production Date Playwright Director The Deep Blue Sea 2016 Terence Rattigan Carrie Cracknell Les Blancs 2013 Lorraine Hansberry Yaël Farber Yerma 2017 Federico García Lorca Simon Stone Other productions featuring members of the same creative team Production Date Artist Julius Caesar 2018 Bunny Christie - Designer King Lear 2011 Neil Austin - Lighting Designer London Assurance 2010 Neil Austin - Lighting Designer She Stoops to Conquer 2012 Neil Austin - Lighting Designer Dara 2015 Neil Austin - Lighting Designer 4 The Cherry Orchard − Learning Pack Plot Synopsis With Timecodes ACT ONE - Winter in the estate of Lyubov Andreyevna Ranyevskaya at the turn of the 20th Century: Dunyasha, the maid, nervously awaits the arrival of Lyubov Andreyevna Ranyevskaya and her daughter, Anya, who have been away for five years. Yermolai Alekseyevich Lopakhin, a wealthy merchant whose ancestors were once serfs on Ranyevskaya’s estate, and Firs, the servant, also wait. (0:06:31) The train is late but Ranyevskaya, Anya, the governess Charlotta and a footman Yasha, finally arrive. Ranyevskaya’s brother Gaev attends the luggage. Family and friends are overjoyed to be reunited at the Estate. Characters come and go as Dunyasha reveals to Anya that Yepihodov, the Estate Manager, has proposed to her. (0:08:59) Varya, Ranyevskaya’s adopted older daughter, enters. Left alone Anya tells Varya of the dire financial circumstances their mother endured in Paris. They also discuss a potential engagement between Varya and Lopakhin, but Varya insists that, as a busy merchant, he does not have time for her. Anya recalls why Ranyevskaya left the estate five years before: her husband died, and her seven-year-old son drowned a 5 The Cherry Orchard − Learning Pack Plot Synopsis With Timecodes month later. Anya is concerned that when the boy's former tutor, Petya Trofimov, who has been living on the estate, comes to greet Ranyevskaya on her return, it will bring back terrible memories for their mother. (0:15:06) Ranyevskaya, Gaev, and their friend Simyonov-Pishchik get reacquainted while Anya goes to bed. Ranyevskaya is overjoyed at being home. Lopakhin joins the conversation; he tells them that due to the financial problems the cherry orchard will be put up for auction in a few months, but he has a plan to save it. Ranyevskaya and Gaev can generate income by cutting down the orchard and building holiday homes. Ranyevskaya and Gaev are appalled at the suggestion. Gaev enters into a long speech about the significance of the old furniture. Lopakhin urges them to make a decision soon before leaving. (0:29:11) Pishchik asks for money to pay his debts, but Varya says they have nothing to give. Ranyevskaya, Varya and Gaev look out over the orchard and continue to reminisce. (0:32:22) Trofimov enters and Ranyevskaya is immediately overcome with emotion at the memory of her drowned son. She is amazed at how old Trofimov looks. Pishchik continues to ask for money and all apart from Gaev and Varya leave. Anya enters. They continue to discuss the dire financial situation. Gaev makes suggestions from utilising a rich great-Aunt, borrowing from a bank and marrying off Anya. He swears the estate will not be sold. Trofimov reveals tender feelings for Anya as the act ends. ACT TWO - Outdoors near the orchard, in mid-summer (0:44:48): Yasha, Dunyasha, Charlotta and Yepihodov gather outside. Yepihodov sings, awkwardly declaring his love for Dunyasha. Charlotta says she knows almost nothing of her past before her and Yepihodov leave. Alone, Dunyasha declares her love for Yasha. They kiss and flirt. 6 The Cherry Orchard − Learning Pack Plot Synopsis With Timecodes (0:53:47) Ranyevskaya, Gaev, and Lopakhin arrive discussing the possible fate of the cherry orchard. She and Gaev refuse to lease the land. Lopakhin is exasperated, knowing this plan is the only way to save the estate. Still Ranyevskaya and Gaev do nothing. The conversation turns to the past, and Ranyevskaya recounts horrible experiences: a man she loved took advantage of her, leaving her with no money. She resorted to trying to kill herself. (1:02:20) They hear some distant music and Ranyevskaya suggests holding a dance. She notes Lopakhin lack of refinement, and he admits that he is an uneducated peasant whose father beat him, but has become rich through hard work. She suggests he marry Varya. Firs enters with Gaev's overcoat, complaining that when the serfs were set free, he did not want to go. Gaev leaves to seek a loan from a general. (1:05:50) Trofimov, Anya and Varya enter. Trofimov gives a speech condemning the Russian intellectual elite for their shallowness and mistreatment of the poor classes. 7 The Cherry Orchard − Learning Pack Plot Synopsis With Timecodes (1:14:28) Gaev rambles incoherently again, before they hear the sound of a cable breaking far off. A shabby stranger suddenly enters. He asks for money, making everyone uneasy. Ranyevskaya gives the passer-by money, which distresses everyone as her family's own servants have nothing to eat. Trofimov and Anya are left alone. He thrills her with talk of a new future of greater social equality without the cherry orchard and the oppression it represents. They share a tender moment and leave together. Interval ACT THREE - at the estate in August (1:27:02): They failed to raise the money to save th orchard, and everyone