Iavnov with Kenneth Branagh

[teawith]

Goodness, that was a strange experience. I’ve never laughed at Chekhov before! It was really fun, really entertaining. Hysterical in places. That must be Tom Stoppard’s new adaptation - roll on more adaptations from him. Apparently Chekhov makes them die laughing in Russia, and up to now translations haven’t managed to convey the humour. Who

Comments

[morganmuffle]

It's an incredible depiction of depression isn't it? Considering it's not a word used in the play or especially when it was written I think.

And as you say, very funny, I've been told Chekov was funny before and been a bit doubtful but Tom Stoppard's translation really brought it out and the cast played it so perfectly on that line between comedy and tragedy (therwise known as reality).

I was really interested by the way each act seemed to end on a cliffhanger/twist just as you'd settled back into the funnier side of things.

[teawith]

That ending on a cliffhanger/twist is one version of the way a 'well-made play' is supposed to end. It was rather a fine example I thought. I must admit, despite having read some Chekhov, I never studied him, so I had no idea about the humour before. I really liked it! I *never* thought I'd say that about Chekhov!

[prochytes]

That sounds rather fine. I am deplorably ignorant about Russian literature. In fact, I have only read (in translation)Crime and Punishment, Gorky's autobiographical trilogy, and some of Chekhov's short stories (but not his plays).

It was great to hear of your encounter with Michael Caine, as well. I have been thinking of finding a user icon with him as Alfred in the new "Batman" films...

[teawith]

Hell, that's more Russian literature than I've managed :) I have War and Peace on my bookshelf rather in the way you might hope that lecture notes will crawl their way inside your brain before an exam - it's never going to happen, but you live in hope. I *might* read it one day, after all.

With Michael Caine - he was exactly as I would have expected him to look. Some people are taller or shorter, or fatter, or thinner. Nope. He was precisely as he seems.