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Chekhov: The Essential Plays: The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters & The Cherry Orchard (Modern Library Classics)
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About Chekhov: The Essential Plays: The Seagull, Uncle
Product Description Because Chekhov’s plays convey the universally recognizable, sometimes comic, sometimes dramatic, frustrations of decent people trying to make sense of their lives, they remain as fresh and vigorous as when they were written a century ago. Gathered here in superb new renderings by one of the most highly regarded translators of our time—versions that have been staged throughout the United States, Canada, and Great Britain—are Chekhov’s four essential masterpieces for the theater. Review “Chekhov, speaking simply and never otherwise than as an artist and a humane man, shows us in fullness and plenitude the mystery of our lives.”—Eudora Welty From the Inside Flap Because Chekhov?s plays convey the universally recognizable, sometimes comic, sometimes dramatic, frustrations of decent people trying to make sense of their lives, they remain as fresh and vigorous as when they were written a century ago. Gathered here in superb new renderings by one of the most highly regarded translators of our time?versions that have been staged throughout the United States, Canada, and Great Britain?are Chekhov?s four essential masterpieces for the theater. From the Back Cover Because Chekhov's plays convey the universally recognizable, sometimes comic, sometimes dramatic, frustrations of decent people trying to make sense of their lives, they remain as fresh and vigorous as when they were written a century ago. Gathered here in superb new renderings by one of the most highly regarded translators of our time--versions that have been staged throughout the United States, Canada, and Great Britain--are Chekhov's four essential masterpieces for the theater. About the Author Michael Henry Heim is professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Los Angeles. His previous translations include Anton Chekhov’s Life and Thought: Selected Letters and Commentary (with Simon Karlinsky); The Unbearable Lightness of Being, by Milan Kundera; and My Century, by Günter Grass. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. characters Irína Nikoláevna Arkádina (Trépleva by marriage). An actress. Konstantín Gavrílovich Tréplev (Kóstya). Her son, a young man. Pyotr Nikoláevich Sórin. Her brother. Nína Mikháilovna Zaréchnaya. A young girl, the daughter of a rich landowner. Ilyá Afanásyevich Shamráev. A retired lieutenant, the manager of Sorin’s estate. Polína Andréevna. His wife. María Ilyínichna (Másha). His daughter. Borís Alexéevich Trigórin. A writer. Yevgény Sergéevich Dorn. A doctor. Semyón Sergéevich Medvedénko. A schoolmaster. Yákov. A workman. A Male Cook. A Housemaid. The action takes place on Sorin’s estate. Two years pass between Acts Three and Four. Act One The grounds of Sorin’s estate. A broad tree-lined path leading away from the audience to a lake is cut off by a makeshift stage for an amateur performance. The lake is hidden from view. Bushes to the left and right of the stage. Several chairs, a small table. The sun has just set. On the stage behind a lowered curtain Yakov and other Workmen are heard coughing and hammering. Enter Masha and Medvedenko, left, on their way back from a walk. Medvedenko. Why is it you always wear black? Masha. I’m in mourning for my life. I’m unhappy. Medvedenko. But why? (Thinking hard.) I can’t understand it . . . You’re healthy. Your father may not be rich, but he has a comfortable life. My life’s much harder than yours—I make only twenty-three rubles a month minus pension-fund deductions—and I don’t wear mourning. (They sit down.) Masha. Money doesn’t matter. Even a pauper can be happy. Medvedenko. In theory perhaps, but not in practice. I’ve got myself, my mother, my two sisters, and my little brother to support—and all on twenty-three rubles. We need to eat and drink, don’t we? We need tea and sugar. We need tobacco. Just try and ma
