Chekhov in Yalta

Chekhov in Yalta by John Driver and Jeffrey Haddow

Chekhov in Yalta is an American comedy. In April 1900 Anton Chekhov, convalescing at his villa in Yalta, receives a visit from the luminaries of the Moscow Art Theatre, who have come to persuade him to give them his latest play; ego, love affairs and languor entangle the company over four days.

The original text

Written by John Driver and Jeffrey Haddow, and first performed at the Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, in 1981. Published by Samuel French. The play won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for Distinguished Playwriting and an American Theatre Critics Association citation.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into Afrikaans by Alewyn Lee as Oom Anton by die see ("Uncle Anton at the sea").

Performance history in South Africa

1985: Produced by PACT, starring James Borthwick, Frantz Dobrowsky, Richard Haines, Jacqui Singer, Charlotte Butler and Billy Second.

2011: Staged in Afrikaans as Oom Anton by die see at the US Woordfees, Stellenbosch, on the outdoor stage of the Klein Libertas Teater on 6, 8 and 13 March, as part of the Sanlam Dramafees. Directed by Juanita Swanepoel, with Waldemar Schultz, Francois Toerien, Jan-Hendrik Opperman, Johann Nel, Petrus du Preez, Ira Blanckenberg, Esther von Waltsleben, Stephanie Hough, Gaerin Hauptfleisch, Hugo Theart and Stephanie Badenhorst.

Sources

PACT pamphlet Let Us Build a Heritage, 1984/85.

'Woordfees 2011: Volledige program', LitNet, 13 January 2011.

https://www.concordtheatricals.co.uk/s/5644/chekhov-in-yalta

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