Review of At RWCMD from the theatre dance and drama in Wales web site

The fireworks of farce

At RWCMD

Welsh College of Music and Drama- The Cherry Orchard , Caord Theatre, WCMD , February 8, 2002

Visually and musically stunning and full of the fireworks of farce, this play was a triumphant, energetic performance directed by Firenza Guidi.
The Cherry Orchard was an hysterical romp, which barely masked a dark circus of loss and grief.
The spectre of violence lurked in the clockwork machine gun on stage at the opening and end of the show.

With the exception of the Wandering Student and the estate clerk, the characters were
full-on neurotics on a country estate, "frightened of everything", "tired of being like this", desperately fiddling and clowning with Russia on the brink of revolution. Their old life was over; but what future beyond their crumbling innocence?

There was powerful acting from Eleanor Howell, Mark Moore, Rhys Morris and all the cast.
Try it! You will be confused, amused, bemused, but never too irritated.

This last of Chekhov's great plays runs until February 16.

Reviewed by: David Reid

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