Ken is Russian around
Kenneth Branagh
IVANOV TICKETS – LIVE AVAILABILITY
London theatre audiences are eagerly awaiting the forthcoming production of Ivanov at The Wyndham’s Theatre, which opens on the 12th September. The classic play by Anton Chekhov has been injected with a new lease of life by the British Academy Award winning screenwriter and playwright Tom Stoppard.
The play centres on the story of Nikolai Ivanov, a government official who is struggling with his financial problems and strained relationship with his sick wife. Admonished for spending too much time away from his wife, he finds himself entangled with the daughter of a wealthy friend.
The play captures perfectly the stifling and caustic atmosphere that surrounds a Russia inching closer to revolution. It’s classic Chekhov, and promises to be compelling viewing. Kenneth Branagh plays the title role, returning to his roots in treading the boards as a classical theatre actor.
Ivanov is a brilliant play and has often been overlooked in favour Chekhov’s other more performed work, such as ‘The Seagull’, ‘Uncle Vanya’, ‘Three Sisters’ and ‘The Cherry Orchard’. In an age where audiences are invited to partake in ‘pop-corn’ theatre, Ivanov will be a refreshing change; it’s not for no reason that Chekhov’s work has been consistently performed over the last 120 years.
Ivanov runs until the 29th of November, and marks the beginning of The Donmar’s twelve month residency at The Wyndham’s Theatre. There are cheap tickets available, starting at £10.
Tags: ivanov, Kenneth Branagh
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September 20th, 2008 at 9:18 am