The Cherry Orchard at Actors' Shakespeare Project

 A Conflicted Woman

by Elizabeth Chiu

3.7.14

           A home is filled with memories. For Lyubov the original owner of the Cherry Orchid estate has grown emotionally attached to her home. Whether you see her character stare out the window or sit on the steps in despair she is portrayed as a conflicted woman. Throughout the production each character fits perfectly in the 20^th century. However there was one particular character called Dunyasha a housemaid. Her character was very sensitive and emotional. As a maid in the beginning of the century she was very prominent with her feelings. Her personality constantly seeks attention from others. Overall Dunyasha’s character was very bold which made her role as a maid less believable.

           

            However the relationships and love triangles are enticing. Specifically Anya and Varya’s relationship. Everyone who knows Anya calls her a little angel. Right from the start when Anya’s character was introduced she was treated like a little girl. She is the daughter of Lyubov and Varya is an overly protected big sister. Varya is almost like a second mother to Anya. As Anya’s feelings develop for Trofimov the 28-year-old student Varya becomes in between them. The relationship between the two sisters gradually becomes more apparent as the Cherry Orchid goes on. The movement of the characters was engaging throughout from entering and existing the door to using the stairs and the two different levels of height. The characters constantly moved around the stage and the energy alive in the room. Since the energy of the characters never fade their love for the estate and each other made the production moving.

            Also throughout the scenes the lighting was spot on. The lighting was like a ribbon on a present a final touch that ties everything together. The atmosphere was always intense because the characters and there emotions came across so naturally. Especially in the last scene when Lyubov is saying her last goodbye and Firs is left all alone in the estate. In that moment you can anticipate what will happen to this old fragile man. He feels like he has been forgotten and the production ends on a powerful note of death. Overall this play was beautifully done with the smooth transitions. This production is a true delight to watch if you want to be thrown back in time.