The Cherry Orchard

Laura Wade

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2026
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781350668560
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Theatre Playwriting

I was born here, my father and mother lived here and my grandfather before. I love this house - I am this house. If it really must be sold, then sell me with it.

Ranyevskaya and Lopakhin are giants at war over a cherished estate. Madame Ranyevskaya returns from five years in Paris to find her house crumbling under the weight of debt and memory and her beloved cherry orchard under threat. Attempting to mend her extravagance, Lopakhin, the son of a serf, insists that the family must sell it off.

Beyond the orchard, people are starving and the aristocracy is in decline. As auction day approaches the household begins to panic. In this collision of past and future, it's dangerous to stand still when the world demands change.

RSC Co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey directs Kenneth Branagh as Lopakhin, Helen Hunt as Ranyevskaya and Bill Pullman as Gaev in Laura Wade's vital new version of Anton Chekhov's great final play, tragic and comic in equal measure, set in a world tilting towards revolution.

This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere production at Swan Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon, in July 2026.

Table of contents

• Cover
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• in a new version by Laura Wade
• The Cherry Orchard
• A comedy in four acts in a new version by Laura Wade
• A comedy in four acts
• The Cherry Orchard
• A comedy in four acts
• based on a translation by Helen Rappaport
• The Cherry Orchard
• in a new version by Laura Wade
• A comedy in four acts
• A comedy in four acts
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• By Anton Chekhov
• METHUEN DRAMA
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• Copyright © Laura Wade, 2026
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• Typeset by Mark Heslington Ltd, Scarborough, North Yorkshire Printed and bound in Great Britain
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• All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be: i) reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by means of any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publishers; or ii) used or reproduced in any way for the training, development or operation of arti“cial intelligence (AI) technologies, including generative AI technologies. The rights holders expressly reserve this publication from the text and data mining exception as per Article 4(3) of the Digital Single Market Directive (EU) 2019/790.
• Bloomsbury Publishing Plc does not have any control over, or responsibility for, any third-party websites referred to or in this book. All internet addresses given in this book were correct at the time of going to press. The author and publisher regret any inconvenience caused if addresses have changed or sites have ceased to exist, but can accept no responsibility for any such changes.
• Series: Modern Plays
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• ). No performance may be given unless a licence has been obtained.
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• First published in Great Britain 2026
• Bloomsbury Publishing Plc does not have any control over, or responsibility for, any third-party websites referred to or in this book. All internet addresses given in this book were correct at the time of going to press. The author and publisher regret any inconvenience caused if addresses have changed or sites have ceased to exist, but can accept no responsibility for any such changes.
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• All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be: i) reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by means of any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publishers; or ii) used or reproduced in any way for the training, development or operation of arti“cial intelligence (AI) technologies, including generative AI technologies. The rights holders expressly reserve this publication from the text and data mining exception as per Article 4(3) of the Digital Single Market Directive (EU) 2019/790.
• ). No performance may be given unless a licence has been obtained.
• Typeset by Mark Heslington Ltd, Scarborough, North Yorkshire Printed and bound in Great Britain
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• Drama logo are trademarks of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
• ISBN: PB: 978-1-3506-6855-3 ePDF: 978-1-3506-6856-0 eBook: 978-1-3506-6857-7
• Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP, UK Bloomsbury Publishing Inc, 1359 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, USA Bloomsbury Publishing Ireland, 29 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 AY28, Ireland
• Library of Congress Control Number: 2026945392
• Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP, UK Bloomsbury Publishing Inc, 1359 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, USA Bloomsbury Publishing Ireland, 29 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 AY28, Ireland
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• ABOUT THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY We passionately believe that great storytelling can change the world, and that theatre offers its own unique form of storytelling: it is live and shared, and transforms a group of strangers into an audience which, together, experiences a story come to life in front of its eyes.
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• The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
• We passionately believe that great storytelling can change the world, and that theatre offers its own unique form of storytelling: it is live and shared, and transforms a group of strangers into an audience which, together, experiences a story come to life in front of its eyes.
• ABOUT THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
• With thanks to Season Supporter Charles Holloway OBE
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• This production of
• This production of
• JULIAN MOORE-COOK
• This production of
• This production of
• This production of
• HELEN HUNT
• This production of
• LOPAKHIN
• The cast was as follows:
• KENNETH BRANAGH
• ERIN SIOBHAN HUTCHING
• VARYA
• This production of
• FIRS
• TROFIMOV
• YEPIKHODOV
• The Cherry Orchard The cast was as follows:
• ENSEMBLE
• The Cherry Orchard
• This production of
• GUY HENRY
• The Cherry Orchard
• SHARLOTTA
• PASSER-BY
• TROFIMOV
• CHUMISA DORNFORD-MAY
• ERIN SIOBHAN HUTCHING
• SHARLOTTA
• SOPHIE STONE
• This production of
• YASHA
• FIRS
• ENSEMBLE
• VARYA
• MICHAEL ELWYN
• HELEN HUNT JULIAN MOORE-COOK ANDY RUSH SOPHIE STONE
• The cast was as follows:
• GAEV
• The Cherry Orchard
• YASHA
• The Cherry Orchard
• This production of
• This production of
• This production of
• This production of
• was “rst performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- Avon, on 10 July 2026.
• CREATIVE TEAM
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• MOVEMENT
• & INTIMACY DIRECTOR
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• ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER (BOOK COVER)
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• CASTING ASSISTANT
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• MOVEMENT
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• DIRECTOR
• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
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• May 2026
• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
• Andrew Leveson
• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
• Chair
• OUR BOARD
• Liz Vernon
• The RSC was established in 1961. It is incorporated under Royal Charter and is a registered charity, number 212481.
• Jonathan Smith
• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
• mbe
• Mark Thompson
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• PATRON OUR BOARD
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• PATRON
• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
• EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
• PATRON
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• Susan Tomasky, RSC America President (Observer)
• The RSC was established in 1961. It is incorporated under Royal Charter and is a registered charity, number 212481.
• Professor Ayanna Thompson
• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
• Winsome Pinnock
• mbe
• Amanda Parker
• Jonathan Smith
• CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
• Andrew Leveson May 2026
• OUR BOARD
• Anna Sedgley
• PATRON
• Winsome Pinnock
• PATRON
• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
• His Majesty King Charles III
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• The Cherry Orchard
• Characters
• Characters
• Characters
• Characters
• Passer-by
• Varya
• Anya
• Dunyasha
• , a governess
• Characters
• Gaev
• , Leonid Andreevich, Ranyevskaya’s brother
• Sharlotta Ivanovna
• Ranyevskaya Anya
• , Pyotr Sergeevich, a student
• Ranyevskaya
• Characters
• , a young manservant
• Ranyevskaya
• Yepikhodov
• , her younger daughter
• , Leonid Andreevich, Ranyevskaya’s brother
• , a housemaid
• Yepikhodov
• Characters
• Simeonov-Pishchik
• Gaev
• , Pyotr Sergeevich, a student
• , a governess
• Firs
• Passer-by
• Anya
• , Boris Borisovich, a landowner
• Ranyevskaya
• Simeonov-Pishchik
• Ranyevskaya
• Characters
• Characters
• Characters
• Characters
• , Lyubov Andreevna, a landowner
• Act One
• Act One
• How long was I asleep? Oh God, quick – a brush or –
• Dunyasha
• Act One
• Act One
• Look at me: I’m just as bad. I’m an embarrassment.
• Lopakhin
• ) Is this them?
• ’s room. Daybreak. The sun will soon be up.
• Dunyasha
• He ruffles his hair and a load of dust comes out.
• Yes.
• Act One
• Dunyasha
• enters with a candle. She stands over him and he wakes with a start.
• Dunyasha
• A room which until now has been called the nursery. One of the doors leads into ’s room. Daybreak. The sun will soon be up.
• Sorry.
• A room which until now has been called the nursery. One of the doors leads into
• Act One
• He looks down at himself in dismay.
• A room which until now has been called the nursery. One of the doors leads into
• Lopakhin
• It is May and the cherry trees are in blossom, but outside in the garden it’s cold, with an early morning frost.
• enters with a candle. She stands over him and he wakes with a start.
• Almost two. Getting light already.
• He ruffles his hair and a load of dust comes out.
• Lopakhin
• Come here specially to meet them at the station then fall asleep and miss the whole thing, what a mess. You didn’t think to wake me?
• Act One
• Lopakhin
• Dunyasha
• Sorry.
• Yes.
• Lopakhin
• Look at me: I’m just as bad. I’m an embarrassment. How long was I asleep? Oh God, quick – a brush or – grabs a clothes brush and starts to brush the dust off him. Come here specially to meet them at the station then fall asleep and miss the whole thing, what a mess. You didn’t think to wake me?
• ’s room. Daybreak. The sun will soon be up.
• The train’s arrived?
• A room which until now has been called the nursery. One of the doors leads into
• Lopakhin
• A room which until now has been called the nursery. One of the doors leads into
• Act One
• Act One
• Act One
• Act One
• Anya
• 4 The Cherry Orchard
• 4 The Cherry Orchard
• 4 The Cherry Orchard
• 4 The Cherry Orchard
• 4 The Cherry Orchard
• She’s been abroad for “ve years, who knows what she’s like now. No, she’s a good person, I’m sure she – She was always a down-to-earth person. And an angel walking among us.
• listens
• Dunyasha
• I’m rich enough to sit at any table in town, but when all’s said and done, perhaps I’m still that little boy.
• 4 The Cherry Orchard
• reeling
• , it was – stood there with blood pouring out of my nose – appalling mix of embarrassment and disbelief and just
• Standing here in a white waistcoat and yellow shoes. Like a bear in a ballgown.
• Lopakhin listens
• mon petit paysan
• Lopakhin
• 4 The Cherry Orchard
• Lopakhin
• He leafs through his book.
• ) No . . . There’ll be bags to pick up, all of that – carry-on . . .
• , it was – stood there with blood pouring out of my nose – appalling mix of embarrassment and disbelief and just
• The dogs haven’t slept, not the whole night. They can sense the mistress is coming.
• He leafs through his book.
• 4 The Cherry Orchard
• ’, she says, ‘it’ll heal before your wedding’ . . . Her little peasant! Me! . . .
• reeling
• mon petit paysan
• I’m rich enough to sit at any table in town, but when all’s said and done, perhaps I’m still that little boy.
• Lopakhin
• listens
• Granted, my father was a peasant by birth and deed but look at me now.
• Lopakhin
• ’, she says, ‘it’ll heal before your wedding’ . . . Her little peasant! Me! . . .
• Lopakhin
• 4 The Cherry Orchard
• 4 The Cherry Orchard
• 4 The Cherry Orchard
• 4 The Cherry Orchard
• (
• Act One 5
• Act One 5
• Yepikhodov
• the kvass.
• Act One 5
• Act One 5
• Lopakhin
• Enter
• Lopakhin
• She bobs a sarcastic curtsey and goes out.
• Rub them on your hair, perhaps? Two birds one stone . . .
• And bring me some kvass, would you?
• Act One 5
• with a bouquet; he is in a jacket with brightly polished boots that squeak loudly. As he enters, he drops the bouquet.
• Yepikhodov
• Lopakhin
• Dunyasha Lopakhin
• He hands
• Dunyasha
• Act One 5
• Any ideas? Should I grease them with something?
• Dunyasha
• Dunyasha
• You’re too highly strung, it won’t do. You dress yourself up like a lady, and that thing you do with your hair . . . You don’t seem to know your place.
• Yepikhodov
• Yepikhodov
• Rub them on your hair, perhaps? Two birds one stone . . .
• Dunyasha
• Lopakhin
• Act One 5
• Dunyasha
• with a bouquet; he is in a jacket with brightly polished boots that squeak loudly. As he enters, he drops the bouquet.
• He hands
• And bring me some kvass, would you?
• Frost this morning, three degrees of it! There goes the cherry blossom . . . I don’t know what to do in this godforsaken climate of ours, it has absolutely no sense of occasion.
• Lopakhin Yepikhodov Dunyasha Lopakhin
• Lopakhin
• the bouquet.
• Dunyasha
• Dunyasha
• Dunyasha
• Act One 5
• Act One 5
• Act One 5
• Act One 5
• Look at my hands, I’m trembling. I think I’m going to faint.
• 6 The Cherry Orchard
• 6 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• ,
• Varya
• 6 The Cherry Orchard
• 6 The Cherry Orchard
• , just back from the station, hurriedly crosses the stage, leaning on a stick, muttering to himself inaudibly.
• Lopakhin
• ,
• Dunyasha
• I could collapse any minute, oh God . . .
• Others follow across the back, arriving:
• Let’s go and meet them.
• 6 The Cherry Orchard
• Dunyasha
• What do I do? He’s harmless enough, but when he gets going you can’t make out a thing he says. It’s well- meaning, and he means it, only it’s – like he says, the state of him! I can’t even tell if I like him more than a little bit. He’s madly in love with me. He’s not a bad soul but so clumsy. They’re constantly teasing him. Captain Calamity they call him . . .
• Lopakhin
• You see! Every single day, something. The state of me, honestly . . . Dunyasha
• They’re here, I think. Are they here?
• You see! Every single day, something. The state of me, honestly . . .
• 6 The Cherry Orchard
• Firs
• You see! Every single day, something. The state of me, honestly . . .
• Will she remember me – my angel? Five years we haven’t seen each other . . .
• I’m sorry to tell you, Lopakhin, that Yepikhodov has proposed to me.
• What do I do? He’s harmless enough, but when he gets going you can’t make out a thing he says. It’s well- meaning, and he means it, only it’s – like he says, the state of him! I can’t even tell if I like him more than a little bit. He’s madly in love with me. He’s not a bad soul but so clumsy. They’re constantly teasing him. Captain Calamity they call him . . .
• Lopakhin
• Others follow across the back, arriving:
• Will she remember me – my angel? Five years we haven’t seen each other . . .
• Varya
• 6 The Cherry Orchard
• Dunyasha
• Dunyasha
• They’re here, I think. Are they here?
• Let’s go and meet them.
• and
• , just back from the station, hurriedly crosses the stage, leaning on a stick, muttering to himself inaudibly. Ranyevskaya Anya Varya
• Dunyasha
• Oh God I’ve gone cold, what’s wrong with me?
• You see! Every single day, something. The state of me, honestly . . .
• Dunyasha
• You see! Every single day, something. The state of me, honestly . . .
• 6 The Cherry Orchard
• 6 The Cherry Orchard
• 6 The Cherry Orchard
• 6 The Cherry Orchard
• He goes out.
• Act One 7
• Act One 7
• Gaev
• throws up a nut and the puppet dog catches it in its mouth.
• Act One 7
• Act One 7
• Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya
• Anya
• Anya
• Ranyevskaya
• And little Dunyasha . . .
• Varya
• Act One 7
• Anya
• You remember what this room is, Mama?
• share a look.
• Varya Anya
• Varya
• Varya
• Act One 7
• Come on, Mama, it’s too cold.
• Varya
• Goodness it’s cold in here. My hands are ice.
• No no, Mama . . .
• You remember what this room is, Mama?
• My lovely old lovely nursery! I slept here when I was a girl.
• And little Dunyasha . . .
• Goodness it’s cold in here. My hands are ice.
• Sharlotta
• Act One 7
• and
• Anya
• Varya
• Varya
• And then my little girls –
• Ranyevskaya Gaev Sharlotta Sharlotta
• Anya
• Anya
• Varya
• and
• Varya
• Act One 7
• Act One 7
• Act One 7
• Act One 7
• Let’s go this way . . .
• 8 The Cherry Orchard
• 8 The Cherry Orchard
• Anya
• Varya
• 8 The Cherry Orchard
• 8 The Cherry Orchard
• Dunyasha
• Dunyasha
• Dunyasha
• Anya
• How is the garden? Tomorrow morning I’ll get up and run straight out there, arms wide – hello, dear everything . . .
• He’s living in the bathhouse. Sleeping there. Doesn’t want to get in the way, he says.
• looks through the doorway to her bedroom.
• 8 The Cherry Orchard
• Anya
• You’re still talking about the same thing, it’s always
• Anya
• Dunyasha Anya
• I’ve been dying to talk to you. I don’t know what to do, he loves me so much and I just don’t
• Dunyasha
• 8 The Cherry Orchard
• Petya!
• Dunyasha
• Anya
• I’m ever so tired . . .
• You’re still talking about the same thing, it’s always
• I wish I could sleep. I didn’t sleep the whole way, I’m worn out with worrying.
• He’s living in the bathhouse. Sleeping there. Doesn’t want to get in the way, he says.
• Anya
• Enter
• 8 The Cherry Orchard
• know,
• Anya
• I’ve been dying to talk to you. I don’t know what to do, he loves me so much and I just don’t
• looks through the doorway to her bedroom.
• Dunyasha
• Dunyasha Anya Dunyasha Enter
• Anya
• you know?
• Dunyasha
• know,
• Dunyasha
• 8 The Cherry Orchard
• 8 The Cherry Orchard
• 8 The Cherry Orchard
• 8 The Cherry Orchard
• It was Lent when you left, there was snow, remember, and frost? And now you’re back, thank God, but there’s frost on the ground again, it’s so strange. Perhaps it’ll go now you’re here, you’re like sunshine. I’ve got to tell you something, can I?
• Act One 9
• Act One 9
• Varya
• Act One 9
• Act One 9
• Anya
• ?
• Dunyasha
• Varya
• She’s sold the villa near Menton, she’s got nothing left, nothing at all. I haven’t a kopek either, we nearly didn’t get home. Mama just doesn’t understand. We sit down at the station restaurant and she orders the lobster, champagne, and tips the waiters a rouble each. Sharlotta as well. And Yasha expects to eat with us too, it’s just awful. Mama has a manservant now, Yasha – you’ve seen him?
• I can only imagine.
• Act One 9
• Quick as you can please?
• Dunyasha
• Varya
• Varya Dunyasha
• Thank God, you’re here all safe. You’re home at last. My heart’s come back! My bundle of joy’s come home!
• Varya
• Act One 9
• Oh my darling, don’t if it’s painful –
• Varya
• Anya
• Coffee
• Dunyasha
• You couldn’t travel alone, dearest. You’re seventeen.
• She’s sold the villa near Menton, she’s got nothing left, nothing at all. I haven’t a kopek either, we nearly didn’t get home. Mama just doesn’t understand. We sit down at the station restaurant and she orders the lobster, champagne, and tips the waiters a rouble each. Sharlotta as well. And Yasha expects to eat with us too, it’s just awful. Mama has a manservant now, Yasha – you’ve seen him?
• Anya
• Act One 9
• Anya
• Quick as you can please?
• Thank God, you’re here all safe. You’re home at last. My heart’s come back! My bundle of joy’s come home!
• I can only imagine.
• Anya
• Anya Varya
• Dunyasha
• I’ve had the most awful time.
• Varya
• Anya
• Varya
• Act One 9
• Act One 9
• Act One 9
• Act One 9
• Mama’s asking for coffee.
• 10 The Cherry Orchard
• 10 The Cherry Orchard
• No . . .
• Anya
• 10 The Cherry Orchard
• 10 The Cherry Orchard
• But he loves you!
• Anya
• Varya
• Varya
• Oh God I could – he’s such a –
• Varya
• Mooooooooooo!
• 10 The Cherry Orchard
• Varya
• In August, they’re going to sell the estate . . .
• Lopakhin
• Anya Varya
• looks in through the door and moos at
• Anya
• 10 The Cherry Orchard
• Anya
• Anya
• He goes away again.
• What with?
• In August, they’re going to sell the estate . . .
• Anya
• Varya
• He goes away again.
• You know what I think? I think nothing will come of it. He’s a busy man, he’s got his business, he’s – he’s got no time. He doesn’t pay me any attention, not in that way.
• 10 The Cherry Orchard
• Varya
• Varya
• looks in through the door and moos at
• Mooooooooooo!
• Varya, has he asked you?
• But he loves you! No . . . Why haven’t you had it out, what are you both waiting for? You know what I think? I think nothing will come of it. He’s a busy man, he’s got his business, he’s – he’s got no time. He doesn’t pay me any attention, not in that way.
• Varya
• .
• Anya
• Varya
• Anya
• 10 The Cherry Orchard
• 10 The Cherry Orchard
• 10 The Cherry Orchard
• 10 The Cherry Orchard
• And what else? Have we paid the interest?
• Act One 11
• Act One 11
• Yasha
• Dunyasha? Fyodor Kozoyedov’s daughter. I’m very disappointed you don’t remember me.
• Dropped a saucer.
• Act One 11
• Act One 11
• Dunyasha
• Dunyasha
• Varya
• Varya
• Yasha
• Yasha, you’ve gone all posh. I wouldn’t know you, you’ve changed so much.
• comes in and addresses
• Act One 11
• Varya
• talks to
• Yasha
• In Paris we went up in an air balloon! Varya
• I dream all day, you know, about going away? All my jobs around the house, going around thinking if only we could “nd a rich man for you to marry, then I could rest. Then I could go somewhere. Retreat to, I don’t know, somewhere properly remote, then Kiev, maybe Moscow. Round all the holy places like a pilgrim, walking and walking just soaking it up, the quiet, the peace, the – the
• In Paris we went up in an air balloon!
• Act One 11
• ?
• In Paris we went up in an air balloon!
• Dunyasha
• I’m happy you’re back, darling. So happy you’re home.
• talks to
• Pardon,
• Yasha, you’ve gone all posh. I wouldn’t know you, you’ve changed so much.
• Dunyasha
• She indicates her height from the floor.
• Act One 11
• beauty
• Varya
• I dream all day, you know, about going away? All my jobs around the house, going around thinking if only we could “nd a rich man for you to marry, then I could rest. Then I could go somewhere. Retreat to, I don’t know, somewhere properly remote, then Kiev, maybe Moscow. Round all the holy places like a pilgrim, walking and walking just soaking it up, the quiet, the peace, the – the
• comes in and addresses
• mademoiselle
• Dunyasha Yasha Dunyasha She indicates her height from the floor.
• Varya
• . . .
• In Paris we went up in an air balloon!
• beauty
• In Paris we went up in an air balloon!
• Act One 11
• Act One 11
• Act One 11
• Act One 11
• She goes into her room.
• 12 The Cherry Orchard
• 12 The Cherry Orchard
• Dunyasha
• Varya
• 12 The Cherry Orchard
• 12 The Cherry Orchard
• .
• Anya
• Anya
• Anya
• You, uh – what’s your name – where’s the cream?
• How are you, dear old Firs?
• 12 The Cherry Orchard
• Varya
• I told them not to wake him.
• Anya
• Varya Anya
• Enter
• Varya
• 12 The Cherry Orchard
• Dunyasha
• Varya
• Firs
• comes out of her room.
• I told them not to wake him.
• Oh dear.
• You, uh – what’s your name – where’s the cream?
• Firs
• Little pickle! All the way from Paris and no cream for the coffee . . . The master used to go to Paris sometimes, in a coach and four . . .
• 12 The Cherry Orchard
• Firs
• Varya
• Enter
• How are you, dear old Firs?
• Firs
• . Dunyasha She runs out. Little pickle! All the way from Paris and no cream for the coffee . . . The master used to go to Paris sometimes, in a coach and four . . .
• Anya
• ; he’s in a jacket and white waistcoat.
• Varya
• Firs
• Varya
• 12 The Cherry Orchard
• 12 The Cherry Orchard
• 12 The Cherry Orchard
• 12 The Cherry Orchard
• Honestly . . .
• Act One 13
• Act One 13
• Lopakhin
• Are you happy we’re here? I can’t believe it.
• to
• Act One 13
• Act One 13
• Gaev
• ,
• Bless you, little one. Just like your mother. Lyuba, you were just the same at her age.
• ,
• Ranyevskaya
• What d’you say?
• Gaev
• Act One 13
• and
• Simeonov-Pishchik
• Remind me – is this how it goes: you knocked the yellow into the corner, yes? Then you doubled back off the cushion into the middle?
• Enter ,
• Gaev
• Enter
• Act One 13
• Yes, time passes at the same speed for gentlemen as it does for peasants.
• Enter
• And screwed it into the corner, yes! My “nest hour. Well, second “nest . . .
• Gaev
• Simeonov-Pishchik
• Yes.
• What d’you say?
• And screwed it into the corner, yes! My “nest hour. Well, second “nest . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• Act One 13
• ’s billiard cue and is playing with it.
• and
• Gaev
• Gaev
• Gaev
• Gaev Lopakhin Anya Ranyevskaya
• ,
• Ranyevskaya
• Enter
• ’s billiard cue and is playing with it.
• Enter
• Act One 13
• Act One 13
• Act One 13
• Act One 13
• Ranyevskaya
• 14 The Cherry Orchard
• 14 The Cherry Orchard
• You know, according to your brother here,
• 14 The Cherry Orchard
• 14 The Cherry Orchard
• Absolute “recracker isn’t she? – even more lovely in that Frenchi“ed get-up – I challenge any red-blooded man not to fall head over heels, arse over . . .
• puts a cushion under her feet.
• And I love you – let me drink my coffee, then we’ll all be off to bed.
• The day before yesterday.
• Lopakhin
• Do you know, I don’t quite believe I’m here. I could pop like a champagne cork! Only perhaps it’s all a dream and the bubble will burst . . . I’m so happy. I love my homeland, I gazed at it from the train carriage for hours, drinking it in . . .
• 14 The Cherry Orchard
• I’ve got used to coffee, living in Paris. I drink it any time now, day and night. (
• To
• Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya And I love you – let me drink my coffee, then we’ll all be off to bed.
• Varya
• Ranyevskaya
• 14 The Cherry Orchard
• Pishchik
• Ranyevskaya
• No – “nish my coffee – I promised. Firs, I’m very glad you’re still alive.
• Firs
• To
• Gaev
• Lopakhin
• No – “nish my coffee – I promised. Firs, I’m very glad you’re still alive.
• 14 The Cherry Orchard
• I’m going to see if everything’s been brought in . . .
• I’ve got used to coffee, living in Paris. I drink it any time now, day and night. (
• Varya
• Do you know, I don’t quite believe I’m here. I could pop like a champagne cork! Only perhaps it’s all a dream and the bubble will burst . . . I’m so happy. I love my homeland, I gazed at it from the train carriage for hours, drinking it in . . .
• We don’t ask him for things anymore.
• Absolute “recracker isn’t she? – even more lovely in that Frenchi“ed get-up – I challenge any red-blooded man not to fall head over heels, arse over . . . You know, according to your brother here, the graceless one. Not a gentleman, apparently. Well, what does it matter, I only care what you think. All I want is for you to look at me with those merciful eyes of yours, and see me, like you saw me when I was small. My father was a serf who belonged to your father, and his father before him – but
• And I love you – let me drink my coffee, then we’ll all be off to bed.
• She goes out.
• Ranyevskaya
• I’m going to see if everything’s been brought in . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• 14 The Cherry Orchard
• 14 The Cherry Orchard
• 14 The Cherry Orchard
• 14 The Cherry Orchard
• You haven’t changed, Varya. You’re not like me at all.
• Act One 15
• Act One 15
• Act One 15
• Act One 15
• Act One 15
• Nurse died while you were away.
• I can’t sit still, I just can’t! Don’t laugh at me, I know it sounds silly, but just to be home, with all of these irreplaceable things that mean so much, the old bookcase, the little table, Yermolai Alekseich . . .
• Alright, let me cut to it – we all know the cherry orchard has to be sold to pay your debts. Unless some great stroke of fortune occurs, the auction is “xed for the twenty-second of August. But don’t despair because I have a plan. A scheme that will cure you of sleepless nights forever . . .
• Act One 15
• Yes, bless her dear old bones. They wrote to tell me.
• Gaev
• You have to believe me when I say that the very love I’ve just described compels me in this next – what shall we call it? Scheme? Suggestion? Proposal? – not that kind of proposal – this plan I would like to – well, I hope you’ll like it. Good God, if this was anyone but me I’d be telling him to damn well spit it out . . .
• you made me feel I could rise up and do anything, that was the great thing you did for me, and then I wanted more than anything to prove myself. Because I – more than even my own family – I almost forgot my own family because I loved you and all that you stood for, so much more. I can’t sit still, I just can’t! Don’t laugh at me, I know it sounds silly, but just to be home, with all of these irreplaceable things that mean so much, the old bookcase, the little table, Yermolai Alekseich . . .
• Pishchik
• you made me feel I could rise up and do anything, that was the great thing you did for me, and then I wanted more than anything to prove myself. Because I – more than even my own family – I almost forgot my own family because I loved you and all that you stood for, so much more.
• Act One 15
• you made me feel I could rise up and do anything, that was the great thing you did for me, and then I wanted more than anything to prove myself. Because I – more than even my own family – I almost forgot my own family because I loved you and all that you stood for, so much more.
• Are you listening? Let me explain: Your estate is only thirteen miles from town and the new railway line runs alongside it which helps. If the cherry orchard and the land
• Gaev
• Gaev
• Are you listening? Let me explain: Your estate is only thirteen miles from town and the new railway line runs alongside it which helps. If the cherry orchard and the land
• Act One 15
• My daughter Dashenka sends you her best. She’s very well, thank you.
• Yes, bless her dear old bones. They wrote to tell me.
• Pishchik
• Alright, let me cut to it – we all know the cherry orchard has to be sold to pay your debts. Unless some great stroke of fortune occurs, the auction is “xed for the twenty-second of August. But don’t despair because I have a plan. A scheme that will cure you of sleepless nights forever . . .
• I can’t sit still, I just can’t! Don’t laugh at me, I know it sounds silly, but just to be home, with all of these irreplaceable things that mean so much, the old bookcase, the little table, Yermolai Alekseich . . .
• Lopakhin
• you made me feel I could rise up and do anything, that was the great thing you did for me, and then I wanted more than anything to prove myself. Because I – more than even my own family – I almost forgot my own family because I loved you and all that you stood for, so much more.
• My daughter Dashenka sends you her best. She’s very well, thank you.
• you made me feel I could rise up and do anything, that was the great thing you did for me, and then I wanted more than anything to prove myself. Because I – more than even my own family – I almost forgot my own family because I loved you and all that you stood for, so much more.
• Act One 15
• Act One 15
• Act One 15
• Act One 15
• Ranyevskaya
• 16 The Cherry Orchard
• 16 The Cherry Orchard
• 16 The Cherry Orchard
• 16 The Cherry Orchard
• 16 The Cherry Orchard
• ?
• Forgive me, but
• Firs
• Lopakhin
• 16 The Cherry Orchard
• I’m sorry, I don’t understand.
• Lopakhin
• That orchard has a mention in the Encyclopaedia.
• along the river were broken up into plots, and dachas built on them for summer visitors, that would bring you at least twenty-“ve thousand roubles a year, and there’s the end to all your troubles. Forgive me, but
• Lopakhin
• along the river were broken up into plots, and dachas built on them for summer visitors, that would bring you at least twenty-“ve thousand roubles a year, and there’s the end to all your troubles.
• 16 The Cherry Orchard
• along the river were broken up into plots, and dachas built on them for summer visitors, that would bring you at least twenty-“ve thousand roubles a year, and there’s the end to all your troubles.
• If we can’t come to a decision then on the twenty-second of August the orchard and the whole estate will be sold at auction, most likely to a stranger who will throw you all off the land.
• what
• Lopakhin
• Back in the old days they dried the cherries – soaked them, pickled them, jam, syrup, liqueur, dipped them in chocolate –
• If we can’t come to a decision then on the twenty-second of August the orchard and the whole estate will be sold at auction, most likely to a stranger who will throw you all off the land.
• 16 The Cherry Orchard
• The only thing that’s remarkable about the cherry orchard is that it’s very big. It hasn’t produced a cherry in years!
• I’m sorry, I don’t understand.
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin
• Gaev
• Forgive me, but
• Gaev
• along the river were broken up into plots, and dachas built on them for summer visitors, that would bring you at least twenty-“ve thousand roubles a year, and there’s the end to all your troubles.
• The only thing that’s remarkable about the cherry orchard is that it’s very big. It hasn’t produced a cherry in years!
• along the river were broken up into plots, and dachas built on them for summer visitors, that would bring you at least twenty-“ve thousand roubles a year, and there’s the end to all your troubles.
• 16 The Cherry Orchard
• 16 The Cherry Orchard
• 16 The Cherry Orchard
• 16 The Cherry Orchard
• Gaev
• Act One 17
• Act One 17
• From Paris.
• Paris is over with.
• Act One 17
• Act One 17
• Two telegrams came for you, Mama.
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• and
• Ranyevskaya
• Absolute nonsense.
• Act One 17
• Pishchik
• Tell me about Paris! Did you eat frogs’ legs?
• Gaev
• Firs Ranyevskaya
• What a thing, eh?
• Firs
• Act One 17
• Varya
• Firs
• Enter
• Do you have the recipes?
• Tell me about Paris! Did you eat frogs’ legs?
• Yasha
• Ranyevskaya
• Enter
• Ranyevskaya
• Act One 17
• Lopakhin
• Pishchik
• What a thing, eh?
• Absolute nonsense.
• .
• Two telegrams came for you, Mama. From Paris. Yasha Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya
• There’s no shame to it, it’s happening everywhere. Before now there were only two types of people in the countryside, the masters and the peasants. But now there’s a third, the summer visitors, out from the city. And summer visitors must have dachas to stay in, so in twenty years every town in the countryside will be surrounded by them. For now, your dacha-dweller only sits out drinking tea on his balcony, but perhaps the cherry stones he spits out will take root, and the spirit of your orchard will grow again, rich and luxurious . . .
• Firs
• Lopakhin
• Firs
• Act One 17
• Act One 17
• Act One 17
• Act One 17
• They sent them off by the cartload to Moscow, Kharkov, everywhere. And money came back! They were the best dried cherries, so soft, juicy and fragrant, the memory of summer all winter long. The old ways, you know, the old recipes . . .
• 18 The Cherry Orchard
• 18 The Cherry Orchard
• Pishchik
• I’ve eaten all the pills.
• 18 The Cherry Orchard
• 18 The Cherry Orchard
• Yasha
• Isn’t it? Most venerable bookcase. My family and I would like to thank you for a century of devoted service. Your patient commitment to the enlargement of our childish minds for this past hundred years has sustained generations of Gaevs, fortifying us with faith in a better future, inspiring within us the true ideals of goodness and justice and bestowing upon us the intellectual nourishment one can only get from a damn good book . . .
• A hundred years, what a thing!
• some medicine.
• , puts them in his mouth and swallows them down with kvass.
• Yasha
• 18 The Cherry Orchard
• Yes hear hear. Only –
• Ranyevskaya
• Listen, I really ought to be going, can I ask you to –
• a date burned into it – turns out this unprepossessing little bookcase is a hundred years old. Can you believe it? We can proudly celebrate its centenary. Yes, it’s an inanimate object, but entirely successful – whichever way you look at it, it is a case for books. A hundred years, what a thing!
• Lopakhin
• a date burned into it – turns out this unprepossessing little bookcase is a hundred years old. Can you believe it? We can proudly celebrate its centenary. Yes, it’s an inanimate object, but entirely successful – whichever way you look at it, it is a case for books.
• 18 The Cherry Orchard
• He grabs the pills from
• a date burned into it – turns out this unprepossessing little bookcase is a hundred years old. Can you believe it? We can proudly celebrate its centenary. Yes, it’s an inanimate object, but entirely successful – whichever way you look at it, it is a case for books.
• hands
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• Yasha
• , puts them in his mouth and swallows them down with kvass.
• hands
• Pishchik
• 18 The Cherry Orchard
• looks at his watch.
• Yes hear hear. Only –
• Lopakhin
• Yasha
• Might you take your pills now, madam?
• Yasha Pishchik Ranyevskaya Pishchik
• A hundred years, what a thing!
• Lopakhin
• a date burned into it – turns out this unprepossessing little bookcase is a hundred years old. Can you believe it? We can proudly celebrate its centenary. Yes, it’s an inanimate object, but entirely successful – whichever way you look at it, it is a case for books.
• looks at his watch.
• a date burned into it – turns out this unprepossessing little bookcase is a hundred years old. Can you believe it? We can proudly celebrate its centenary. Yes, it’s an inanimate object, but entirely successful – whichever way you look at it, it is a case for books.
• 18 The Cherry Orchard
• 18 The Cherry Orchard
• 18 The Cherry Orchard
• 18 The Cherry Orchard
• Pishchik
• Act One 19
• Act One 19
• I will not. I can only sleep.
• Goodbye, madam, my time has come. Goodbye.
• Act One 19
• Act One 19
• Oh yes, do. Amaze us.
• muttering
• again.
• Firs
• Sir! If I permit you to kiss my hand where will you want to kiss next?
• Sharlotta
• Forgive me, Sharlotta, I haven’t yet greeted you as you deserve.
• Act One 19
• Ranyevskaya
• What’s he talking about?
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin Firs
• May I never be that old . . .
• Lopakhin
• Act One 19
• Ranyevskaya
• Lopakhin
• He tries to kiss her hand but she pulls it away.
• When the young sir was here in Holy Week he ate half a bucket of pickled cucumbers . . . (
• What’s he talking about?
• Lopakhin
• Sharlotta
• He tries to kiss her hand but she pulls it away.
• He goes around, wishing everyone goodbye.
• Act One 19
• Sharlotta
• Ranyevskaya
• May I never be that old . . .
• Forgive me, Sharlotta, I haven’t yet greeted you as you deserve.
• Not my lucky day . . .
• Oh yes, do. Amaze us. I will not. I can only sleep. Lopakhin He goes around, wishing everyone goodbye.
• Firs
• crosses behind them.
• Lopakhin
• Sharlotta
• Lopakhin
• Act One 19
• Act One 19
• Act One 19
• Act One 19
• What a thing . . .
• 20 The Cherry Orchard
• 20 The Cherry Orchard
• Firs
• Look at sir, with his wrong trousers on again – what a little pickle!
• 20 The Cherry Orchard
• 20 The Cherry Orchard
• Varya
• Yes alright. Off I push . . .
• Oh do push off.
• Varya
• Mama, you’ve “nished your coffee. Time for bed?
• So many ideas, and so much money . . . My Dashenka says . . . Well, she says a lot of things . . .
• 20 The Cherry Orchard
• Gaev
• He really is a Philistine. Oh, sorry. I keep forgetting Varya’s going to marry him. Varya’s “ance-ish, isn’t he?
• Pishchik
• Think seriously about the dacha idea, won’t you? – let me know and I’ll get you a loan of “fty thousand roubles. Oh do push off.
• Well, why not, Varya? I should be very happy, he’s a good man. If a few too many
• Think seriously about the dacha idea, won’t you? – let me know and I’ll get you a loan of “fty thousand roubles.
• 20 The Cherry Orchard
• Ah, well. I’ll “nd it somehow. One must never lose hope, you know? There was I, thinking everything lost, not a pot to spit in, and then boom – they build a stinking great railway across my land and pay me a packet. All gone now, but perhaps tomorrow something else will happen . . . Dashenka will win two hundred thousand in the lottery, perhaps – as long as she’s bought a ticket . . .
• Think seriously about the dacha idea, won’t you? – let me know and I’ll get you a loan of “fty thousand roubles.
• He falls asleep and snores, then immediately wakes up again.
• Lopakhin
• He really is a Philistine. Oh, sorry. I keep forgetting Varya’s going to marry him. Varya’s “ance-ish, isn’t he?
• We haven’t got it. We haven’t got it!
• Mama, you’ve “nished your coffee. Time for bed?
• He falls asleep and snores, then immediately wakes up again.
• Firs
• 20 The Cherry Orchard
• ideas
• Gaev
• Well, why not, Varya? I should be very happy, he’s a good man. If a few too many
• So many ideas, and so much money . . . My Dashenka says . . . Well, she says a lot of things . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• Varya Firs Gaev Firs
• Oh do push off.
• . . .
• Think seriously about the dacha idea, won’t you? – let me know and I’ll get you a loan of “fty thousand roubles.
• ideas
• Think seriously about the dacha idea, won’t you? – let me know and I’ll get you a loan of “fty thousand roubles.
• 20 The Cherry Orchard
• 20 The Cherry Orchard
• 20 The Cherry Orchard
• 20 The Cherry Orchard
• Varya
• Act One 21
• Act One 21
• turns and sees him.
• Act One 21
• Act One 21
• Lyubov Andreevna.
• Ranyevskaya
• Gaev
• comes in, though
• Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya
• Act One 21
• Always hopeful through the dark dirty autumn, still young and happy through the cold, horrible winter, your angels haven’t abandoned you, have they? I feel such a weight on my chest and shoulders for all the things . . . I want to forget and be pure like this orchard . . .
• Gaev
• Oh, Mama.
• She opens the window. Gaev
• Gaev
• She opens the window.
• Act One 21
• Tro“mov
• She opens the window.
• No, I’m wrong, there’s no one. Sorry, I thought she was there. Where the path turns to the summer house, there’s a little white tree bending over like a woman picking a flower . . .
• The orchard all in white, as it always was. You remember, Lyuba? The long avenue all the way through like a young girl’s sash, how it would shine in the moonlight. You do remember, don’t you?
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya
• No, I’m wrong, there’s no one. Sorry, I thought she was there. Where the path turns to the summer house, there’s a little white tree bending over like a woman picking a flower . . .
• Act One 21
• I can’t see her.
• Always hopeful through the dark dirty autumn, still young and happy through the cold, horrible winter, your angels haven’t abandoned you, have they? I feel such a weight on my chest and shoulders for all the things . . . I want to forget and be pure like this orchard . . .
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• doesn’t see him yet.
• Lyubov Andreevna. turns and sees him.
• Gaev
• Varya
• She opens the window.
• I can’t see her.
• She opens the window.
• Act One 21
• Act One 21
• Act One 21
• Act One 21
• Look, Mama – the sun’s up already. Can you hear the starlings?
• 22 The Cherry Orchard
• 22 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• 22 The Cherry Orchard
• 22 The Cherry Orchard
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• Varya
• I should be quiet, poor Anya’s sleeping in there, and I’m howling outside the door . . .
• And probably till I die, yes.
• I’m sorry, Mama – it was God’s will – we’re all so sorry . . .
• 22 The Cherry Orchard
• Gaev
• Oh now, Lyuba.
• Varya
• Tro“mov Varya
• Grisha . . . my little boy . . . my son . . .
• Tro“mov
• 22 The Cherry Orchard
• You were hardly more than a boy, a good scholar, but now you’re greying and you’ve got glasses. Are you really still a student?
• Tro“mov
• Ranyevskaya
• It’s Petya . . .
• Oh now, Lyuba.
• Look at you, Petya. You’ve aged. Why have you grown so ugly?
• And probably till I die, yes.
• Ranyevskaya
• 22 The Cherry Orchard
• Tro“mov
• Gaev
• Grisha . . . my little boy . . . my son . . .
• I’m sorry, Mama – it was God’s will – we’re all so sorry . . .
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov Ranyevskaya Pishchik
• Varya
• I can’t tell you how much I . . .
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• 22 The Cherry Orchard
• 22 The Cherry Orchard
• 22 The Cherry Orchard
• 22 The Cherry Orchard
• Forgive me, I’ll pay my respects to you quickly then I’ll go. They told me not to until the morning but I couldn’t wait . . .
• Act One 23
• Act One 23
• and
• (
• Varya
• Act One 23
• Act One 23
• ,
• A teeny-weeny two hundred and forty to pay the interest on my mortgage . . .
• ) Stand over there, would you? You smell like the train carriage you travelled in.
• Always the same thing . . .
• ,
• Varya
• Ranyevskaya
• Act One 23
• I haven’t any money.
• Pishchik
• What can we do? He needs it, he’ll give it back . . .
• In the morning, my good lady, perhaps you might lend me two hundred and forty roubles for the road? Always the same thing . . .
• Gaev
• In the morning, my good lady, perhaps you might lend me two hundred and forty roubles for the road?
• Act One 23
• Gaev
• In the morning, my good lady, perhaps you might lend me two hundred and forty roubles for the road?
• ,
• Pishchik
• Pishchik
• Pishchik
• Varya
• ,
• My sister, you see, still very much in the habit of throwing money around.
• Act One 23
• Me? He can whistle for it.
• I haven’t any money.
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• and
• , and . My sister, you see, still very much in the habit of throwing money around.
• Always the same thing . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• In the morning, my good lady, perhaps you might lend me two hundred and forty roubles for the road?
• Me? He can whistle for it.
• In the morning, my good lady, perhaps you might lend me two hundred and forty roubles for the road?
• Act One 23
• Act One 23
• Act One 23
• Act One 23
• Gaev
• 24 The Cherry Orchard
• 24 The Cherry Orchard
• 24 The Cherry Orchard
• 24 The Cherry Orchard
• D’you know, I’ve had something stuck in my eye for days, can’t see a thing, you’re all blurry. What were we talking about? Yes, last week at the district court . . .
• I’ve been thinking –
• Gaev
• Gaev
• hearted, as you say, but too little care for her reputation, her dignity. However you look at it – and I know she’s had her trials – but this rackety life she’s been living, chasing this fellow all over Europe when everyone can see he’s a waste of skin. And after all this time she’s no better than him now, you only have to look at her to see her morals are as loose as . . .
• 24 The Cherry Orchard
• Varya
• I’ve prayed to God for help.
• -
• Varya Gaev
• appears in the doorway to her bedroom.
• Varya
• 24 The Cherry Orchard
• Gaev
• Varya
• Varya
• She would, she would.
• I’ve prayed to God for help.
• What? What d’you say?
• Varya
• 24 The Cherry Orchard
• Gaev
• Varya
• appears in the doorway to her bedroom.
• hearted, as you say, but too little care for her reputation, her dignity. However you look at it – and I know she’s had her trials – but this rackety life she’s been living, chasing this fellow all over Europe when everyone can see he’s a waste of skin. And after all this time she’s no better than him now, you only have to look at her to see her morals are as loose as . . .
• He realises what
• D’you know, I’ve had something stuck in my eye for days, can’t see a thing, you’re all blurry. What were we talking about? Yes, last week at the district court . . .
• Gaev
• And then for Lyuba to go on and live as she has – well it’s hardly decorous, is it? She’s a good woman – kind
• Varya
• Gaev
• Varya
• 24 The Cherry Orchard
• 24 The Cherry Orchard
• 24 The Cherry Orchard
• 24 The Cherry Orchard
• Yes, Mama’s just the same, she’s still too kind. She’d give away every last kopek and then the shoes off her feet . . .
• Act One 25
• Act One 25
• To
• To
• Act One 25
• Act One 25
• So I will go there again on Tuesday, see if I can’t smoke it out.
• Anya
• Varya
• Gaev
• (
• Just don’t always
• Act One 25
• Gaev
• Poor little thing. My little one . . . You’re more than a niece to me, you know, you’re my angel, you’re everything to me. You believe me, don’t you?
• Anya
• Anya Varya
• No, God, you’re right of course. I really am dreadful, God help us all. You saw earlier, I made a speech to a bookcase – how ridiculous of me – it was only once it was over and I saw your faces that I realised how very silly I looked . . .
• Anya
• Act One 25
• Gaev
• Anya
• say
• Why aren’t you asleep, Anya?
• Poor little thing. My little one . . . You’re more than a niece to me, you know, you’re my angel, you’re everything to me. You believe me, don’t you?
• Alright yes, I’ll be quiet now . . . Silent as the grave . . .
• (
• say
• (
• Act One 25
• Varya
• Gaev
• No, God, you’re right of course. I really am dreadful, God help us all. You saw earlier, I made a speech to a bookcase – how ridiculous of me – it was only once it was over and I saw your faces that I realised how very silly I looked . . .
• Just don’t always
• Only one more thing – on Thursday I was at the district court and a number of us were gassing about this and that, the price of caviar, our “nancial quandary, and the idea emerged that it might be possible to arrange a loan against a promissory note, in order to pay the interest to the bank.
• So I will go there again on Tuesday, see if I can’t smoke it out. To . (
• Varya
• If you could just keep quiet, Uncle darling.
• Anya
• Varya
• Anya
• Act One 25
• Act One 25
• Act One 25
• Act One 25
• comes into the room.
• 26 The Cherry Orchard
• 26 The Cherry Orchard
• Varya
• 26 The Cherry Orchard
• 26 The Cherry Orchard
• Anya
• Firs
• Thank you, Uncle. You’re so good to everyone, so kind and clever. I feel much better now. I’m calm and happy.
• Gaev
• I don’t at all feel like going to see our great-aunt, she’s not nice at all, but never mind. Uncle has a plan.
• Remember what we said . . .
• 26 The Cherry Orchard
• Firs
• Now then, young sir, what time do you call this? You ought to be in bed hours ago.
• Varya
• good and rested, you’ll go to Yaroslavl to your great-aunt the Countess and she will adore you and give us help. So there we are, coming at it from three sides, and no need of divine intercession. We’ll manage to pay the interest, I’m sure of it. Upon my honour as a gentleman, the estate will not be sold! Not on my watch! Here’s my hand on it, and call me a “lthy swine if I break my promise. There will be no auction. Thank you, Uncle. You’re so good to everyone, so kind and clever. I feel much better now. I’m calm and happy.
• You know you’re right, I have been called a man of the people. Many a time I’ve stood up for what’s right. It’s not for nothing that the peasants love me – they do, you know? Because I understand them. You have to understand all sorts of people in my position in society, not only the people of your own class, you know . . .
• good and rested, you’ll go to Yaroslavl to your great-aunt the Countess and she will adore you and give us help. So there we are, coming at it from three sides, and no need of divine intercession. We’ll manage to pay the interest, I’m sure of it. Upon my honour as a gentleman, the estate will not be sold! Not on my watch! Here’s my hand on it, and call me a “lthy swine if I break my promise. There will be no auction.
• 26 The Cherry Orchard
• following him.
• good and rested, you’ll go to Yaroslavl to your great-aunt the Countess and she will adore you and give us help. So there we are, coming at it from three sides, and no need of divine intercession. We’ll manage to pay the interest, I’m sure of it. Upon my honour as a gentleman, the estate will not be sold! Not on my watch! Here’s my hand on it, and call me a “lthy swine if I break my promise. There will be no auction.
• Firs
• Enter
• Now then, young sir, what time do you call this? You ought to be in bed hours ago.
• Yes I’m going I’m going, beddy-byes everyone.
• I don’t at all feel like going to see our great-aunt, she’s not nice at all, but never mind. Uncle has a plan.
• Firs
• 26 The Cherry Orchard
• Anya
• Firs
• You know you’re right, I have been called a man of the people. Many a time I’ve stood up for what’s right. It’s not for nothing that the peasants love me – they do, you know? Because I understand them. You have to understand all sorts of people in my position in society, not only the people of your own class, you know . . .
• Remember what we said . . .
• It went off the “rst cushion, then the second and into the middle – potted the white, yes! Those were the days . . .
• Anya Varya
• Thank you, Uncle. You’re so good to everyone, so kind and clever. I feel much better now. I’m calm and happy.
• You’re going off again, Uncle darling . . .
• good and rested, you’ll go to Yaroslavl to your great-aunt the Countess and she will adore you and give us help. So there we are, coming at it from three sides, and no need of divine intercession. We’ll manage to pay the interest, I’m sure of it. Upon my honour as a gentleman, the estate will not be sold! Not on my watch! Here’s my hand on it, and call me a “lthy swine if I break my promise. There will be no auction.
• Anya
• good and rested, you’ll go to Yaroslavl to your great-aunt the Countess and she will adore you and give us help. So there we are, coming at it from three sides, and no need of divine intercession. We’ll manage to pay the interest, I’m sure of it. Upon my honour as a gentleman, the estate will not be sold! Not on my watch! Here’s my hand on it, and call me a “lthy swine if I break my promise. There will be no auction.
• 26 The Cherry Orchard
• 26 The Cherry Orchard
• 26 The Cherry Orchard
• 26 The Cherry Orchard
• Anya
• Act One 27
• Act One 27
• Act One 27
• Act One 27
• Welcome home, my sunlight!
• Anya? Anya? Oh you’re asleep. Alright, off to bed . . . Poor darling, I was rattling on so much I put you to sleep . . .
• Anya
• go into
• Blackout.
• You’re alone now, let’s tuck you up . . .
• Act One 27
• comes in and, seeing
• Varya
• Varya
• Such a horrible thing happened when you weren’t here. You know the old servants’ quarters, where the oldest old servants live – Ye“myushka, Polya, Yevstignei, Karp? Well they started letting this bunch of scruffy old drunks sleep there too. I didn’t say anything, I suppose I felt sorry for them, the weather wasn’t warm. Only then I hear there’s word going about that I’d said we could only feed them with dried peas. That I could be as mean as that! And I know who’s behind it – it’s Yevstignei – so I think to myself, if that’s how it is . . . I send for him and he – goodness I’m tired – I tell him straight – what’s this I’m hearing, Yevstignei? But of course the old bugger doesn’t admit to – Anya
• No, shhhh – let’s get you to bed . . .
• Such a horrible thing happened when you weren’t here. You know the old servants’ quarters, where the oldest old servants live – Ye“myushka, Polya, Yevstignei, Karp? Well they started letting this bunch of scruffy old drunks sleep there too. I didn’t say anything, I suppose I felt sorry for them, the weather wasn’t warm. Only then I hear there’s word going about that I’d said we could only feed them with dried peas. That I could be as mean as that! And I know who’s behind it – it’s Yevstignei – so I think to myself, if that’s how it is . . . I send for him and he – goodness I’m tired – I tell him straight – what’s this I’m hearing, Yevstignei? But of course the old bugger doesn’t admit to –
• Act One 27
• Tro“mov
• Such a horrible thing happened when you weren’t here. You know the old servants’ quarters, where the oldest old servants live – Ye“myushka, Polya, Yevstignei, Karp? Well they started letting this bunch of scruffy old drunks sleep there too. I didn’t say anything, I suppose I felt sorry for them, the weather wasn’t warm. Only then I hear there’s word going about that I’d said we could only feed them with dried peas. That I could be as mean as that! And I know who’s behind it – it’s Yevstignei – so I think to myself, if that’s how it is . . . I send for him and he – goodness I’m tired – I tell him straight – what’s this I’m hearing, Yevstignei? But of course the old bugger doesn’t admit to –
• She and
• has fallen asleep.
• Varya
• Anya
• Blackout.
• She and
• Act One 27
• Anya
• comes in and, seeing
• No, shhhh – let’s get you to bed . . .
• You’re alone now, let’s tuck you up . . .
• ’s room.
• Welcome home, my sunlight!
• Anya
• I’m so tired . . . I can still hear the carriage bells, and Mama and Uncle, talking and talking . . .
• Such a horrible thing happened when you weren’t here. You know the old servants’ quarters, where the oldest old servants live – Ye“myushka, Polya, Yevstignei, Karp? Well they started letting this bunch of scruffy old drunks sleep there too. I didn’t say anything, I suppose I felt sorry for them, the weather wasn’t warm. Only then I hear there’s word going about that I’d said we could only feed them with dried peas. That I could be as mean as that! And I know who’s behind it – it’s Yevstignei – so I think to myself, if that’s how it is . . . I send for him and he – goodness I’m tired – I tell him straight – what’s this I’m hearing, Yevstignei? But of course the old bugger doesn’t admit to –
• Anya
• Such a horrible thing happened when you weren’t here. You know the old servants’ quarters, where the oldest old servants live – Ye“myushka, Polya, Yevstignei, Karp? Well they started letting this bunch of scruffy old drunks sleep there too. I didn’t say anything, I suppose I felt sorry for them, the weather wasn’t warm. Only then I hear there’s word going about that I’d said we could only feed them with dried peas. That I could be as mean as that! And I know who’s behind it – it’s Yevstignei – so I think to myself, if that’s how it is . . . I send for him and he – goodness I’m tired – I tell him straight – what’s this I’m hearing, Yevstignei? But of course the old bugger doesn’t admit to –
• Act One 27
• Act One 27
• Act One 27
• Act One 27
• She sees that
• Act Two
• Act Two
• Dunyasha
• Act Two
• Act Two
• ’Cause I don’t have a wooden heart . . .
• ,
• ’ house/estate, near the cherry orchard. Almost sunset.
• (
• I do love playing the mandolin . . .
• Then they died, my parents, and a German lady took me in, taught me to speak until I forgot my parents’ language, whatever it was. I grew up and went to be a governess – by then I could remember hardly anything about where I’m from or who I am, or who my parents were, whether or not they’d even been married. Only them throwing me up in the air and catching me . . .
• Act Two
• and
• Dunyasha
• I haven’t got any kind of passport. No papers. No idea how old I am. I’ve always thought of myself as a young sort of a person. When I was a little girl my mother and father used to tour round the fairs and festivals doing acrobatics. And as soon as I was grown enough, they would throw me high up into the air and catch me, light as a feather. Everyone gasped!
• Open countryside at the edge of the ’ house/estate, near the cherry orchard. Almost sunset.
• Sharlotta
• Open countryside at the edge of the
• Act Two
• That’s not hard to do
• Open countryside at the edge of the
• I long for someone to talk to but there’s no one . . . I don’t have anyone . . .
• Sharlotta
• Dunyasha
• plays the guitar and sings
• I do love playing the mandolin . . .
• I long for someone to talk to but there’s no one . . . I don’t have anyone . . .
• Act Two
• has taken a rifle/shotgun from her shoulder and is adjusting the buckle on the strap.
• and
• Sharlotta
• Then they died, my parents, and a German lady took me in, taught me to speak until I forgot my parents’ language, whatever it was. I grew up and went to be a governess – by then I could remember hardly anything about where I’m from or who I am, or who my parents were, whether or not they’d even been married. Only them throwing me up in the air and catching me . . .
• )
• ’Cause I don’t have a wooden heart . . . Dunyasha Yepikhodov
• ’ house/estate, near the cherry orchard. Almost sunset.
• Sharlotta
• Open countryside at the edge of the
• has taken a rifle/shotgun from her shoulder and is adjusting the buckle on the strap.
• Open countryside at the edge of the
• Act Two
• Act Two
• Act Two
• Act Two
• Gaevs
• Act Two 29
• Act Two 29
• Well, no, absolutely. In other parts of the world people and things have grown much more re“ned.
• I always carry a revolver with me, in case I manage to come to a decision. Look –
• Act Two 29
• Act Two 29
• He lights and smokes a cigar.
• Yasha
• Sharlotta
• )
• (
• Yepikhodov
• over the singing
• Act Two 29
• Yepikhodov
• /
• (
• ( )
• ’Cause I’m not made of wood
• (
• Act Two 29
• I can’t imagine a life without travelling. Imagine if you’d never been anywhere but here, how cripplingly banal . . .
• (
• ) You sound dreadful! Like cats! Cats with indigestion!
• There’s no strings upon this love of mine It was always you from the start . . .
• /
• to
• Yepikhodov
• ) You sound dreadful! Like cats! Cats with indigestion!
• I’m a man of the world, and a man of books, I’ve read some remarkable books, but it’s left me without any clear idea of what direction I should like to go in. Should I stay alive or shoot myself?
• Act Two 29
• And I don’t have a wooden heart . . .
• Yepikhodov
• ’Cause I’m not made of wood
• over the singing
• Yasha
• He lights and smokes a cigar. Well, no, absolutely. In other parts of the world people and things have grown much more re“ned. Everything’s better abroad. I’m a man of the world, and a man of books, I’ve read some remarkable books, but it’s left me without any clear idea of what direction I should like to go in. Should I stay alive or shoot myself?
• )
• Sharlotta
• (
• And I don’t have a wooden heart . . .
• (
• Act Two 29
• Act Two 29
• Act Two 29
• Act Two 29
• Sings.
• 30 The Cherry Orchard
• 30 The Cherry Orchard
• He goes out.
• 30 The Cherry Orchard
• 30 The Cherry Orchard
• Right. Well. Yes alright.
• Yepikhodov
• You’re an intelligent man, Yepikhodov, quite a catch – you should have women clamouring. Scratching each other’s eyes out for you! It’s a mystery . . .
• Oh God, “ne. Can you bring me my cloak “rst? It’s damp out here. It’s on the peg in the porch.
• I suppose now I know what to do with my revolver.
• Yepikhodov
• 30 The Cherry Orchard
• This morning, as an example, there I was, just waking up when I looked and saw a dirty great spider sitting on my chest – this big! – with its beady eyes trained on me, absolutely terrifying . . . No sooner am I recovered from that when I lift a glass of kvass to my lips and there at the bottom, with no intention of drowning, a disgusting cockroach.
• (
• Yes, go on.
• Who am I, why am I even here? You’re an intelligent man, Yepikhodov, quite a catch – you should have women clamouring. Scratching each other’s eyes out for you! It’s a mystery . . .
• ) Have you read Buckle? No? Shame . . .
• Who am I, why am I even here?
• 30 The Cherry Orchard
• Yepikhodov
• Who am I, why am I even here?
• Preferably alone . . .
• She goes out.
• (
• Yepikhodov
• I suppose now I know what to do with my revolver.
• Preferably alone . . .
• 30 The Cherry Orchard
• Might I trouble you, Dunyasha, to a word or two?
• This morning, as an example, there I was, just waking up when I looked and saw a dirty great spider sitting on my chest – this big! – with its beady eyes trained on me, absolutely terrifying . . . No sooner am I recovered from that when I lift a glass of kvass to my lips and there at the bottom, with no intention of drowning, a disgusting cockroach.
• ) Have you read Buckle? No? Shame . . .
• Yepikhodov
• The porch on this side of the house?
• Right. Well. Yes alright. He goes out. God, I hope he doesn’t shoot himself.
• You’re an intelligent man, Yepikhodov, quite a catch – you should have women clamouring. Scratching each other’s eyes out for you! It’s a mystery . . .
• Dunyasha
• Who am I, why am I even here?
• Might I trouble you, Dunyasha, to a word or two?
• Who am I, why am I even here?
• 30 The Cherry Orchard
• 30 The Cherry Orchard
• 30 The Cherry Orchard
• 30 The Cherry Orchard
• She slings her rifle over her shoulder.
• Act Two 31
• Act Two 31
• Yasha
• and
• Act Two 31
• Act Two 31
• My head’s spinning from that cigar . . .
• I was a rough little girl when the master and mistress took me into service. That old life feels a universe away. I’m all soft and delicate, I’m too re“ned for a servant now. Look at my hands! So soft. You’d think I was the mistress.
• Dunyasha
• Oh God they’re coming. The whole bloody lot of them . . .
• She goes out.
• .
• Act Two 31
• Yasha
• Little dumpling . . . Of course every girl needs to know her place. There’s nothing I dislike more in a girl than if she is
• loose
• Yasha Dunyasha
• I’m horribly in love with you. You’re so educated, you know what you think about things . . .
• Yasha
• Act Two 31
• Dunyasha
• Yasha
• It’s so pleasurable to smoke a cigar in the fresh air . . .
• You’ve changed me, Yasha . . . I’m nervous, I’m on edge all the time. I’m sure I didn’t used to be.
• Little dumpling . . . Of course every girl needs to know her place. There’s nothing I dislike more in a girl than if she is
• Dunyasha
• She goes out.
• It’s so pleasurable to smoke a cigar in the fresh air . . .
• Gaev
• Act Two 31
• Yasha
• Yasha
• I’m horribly in love with you. You’re so educated, you know what you think about things . . .
• .
• kisses him.
• My head’s spinning from that cigar . . . Yasha Ranveyskaya Gaev
• Dunyasha
• Yes I do. Here’s what I think: if a girl openly proclaims herself in love with someone then it’s an absolute certainty that she is
• Yasha
• Yasha
• Yasha
• Act Two 31
• Act Two 31
• Act Two 31
• Act Two 31
• Captain Calamity! They shouldn’t have given the man a title, he’s a donkey.
• 32 The Cherry Orchard
• 32 The Cherry Orchard
• 32 The Cherry Orchard
• 32 The Cherry Orchard
• That dreadful restaurant with its chintzy music and scratchy tablecloths smelling of cheap soap. Why did you take us there, Lyonya, and why did you drink so much? Why did you eat so much? Why did you talk so much? In the restaurant you were spouting off about all sorts of things. The long speech about French symbolist poetry – fancy lecturing the waiters about Baudelaire!
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• Oh now look what I’ve done, honestly . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• 32 The Cherry Orchard
• That was it – yellow into the middle! I’ve a mind to go home now for a quick game . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• looks in her purse.
• Lopakhin Ranyevskaya
• Gaev
• Lopakhin
• 32 The Cherry Orchard
• Thank you, Yasha. Why on earth did we go out for lunch?
• Lopakhin
• D’you know, I looked in here yesterday and it was full of money, and now there’s hardly any. Poor Varya, trying to be economical, has to feed everyone with milk soup, and the poor old ones in the kitchen only get dried peas. But somehow I manage to let whatever I have dribble through my “ngers . . .
• Who’s been smoking cigars?
• Ranyevskaya
• Yasha
• D’you know, I looked in here yesterday and it was full of money, and now there’s hardly any. Poor Varya, trying to be economical, has to feed everyone with milk soup, and the poor old ones in the kitchen only get dried peas. But somehow I manage to let whatever I have dribble through my “ngers . . .
• 32 The Cherry Orchard
• What’s the problem?
• That was it – yellow into the middle! I’ve a mind to go home now for a quick game . . .
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• Let me . . .
• That dreadful restaurant with its chintzy music and scratchy tablecloths smelling of cheap soap. Why did you take us there, Lyonya, and why did you drink so much? Why did you eat so much? Why did you talk so much? In the restaurant you were spouting off about all sorts of things. The long speech about French symbolist poetry – fancy lecturing the waiters about Baudelaire!
• Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya
• Lopakhin
• What’s the problem?
• Lopakhin
• 32 The Cherry Orchard
• 32 The Cherry Orchard
• 32 The Cherry Orchard
• 32 The Cherry Orchard
• You have to decide now – it can’t wait any longer. It’s really an incredibly simple question – will you agree to give the land over to dachas or not? Just yes or no . . .
• Act Two 33
• Act Two 33
• Our aunt in Yaroslavl has promised to send something. Only she didn’t say how much, or when . . .
• Lopakhin
• Act Two 33
• Act Two 33
• I heard it in town.
• Yasha
• Lopakhin
• (
• He goes out, coins clinking in his pocket.
• Gaev
• You can go, Yasha. Go somewhere else.
• Act Two 33
• ) Why are you always hovering in front of me like that?
• Yasha
• Ranyevskaya
• Gaev (
• to
• Gaev
• Act Two 33
• Lopakhin
• Gaev
• Yasha
• To
• Yasha
• Lopakhin
• Gaev
• Yasha
• Ten, “fteen thousand, I should think. And we’ll be obsequiously grateful for it.
• Act Two 33
• Ranyevskaya
• ) Why are you always hovering in front of me like that?
• to
• You can go, Yasha. Go somewhere else.
• Listen. Your estate is going to be bought by a very rich man. Deriganov. Apparently he’s coming to the auction himself.
• I heard it in town. Our aunt in Yaroslavl has promised to send something. Only she didn’t say how much, or when . . . How much could she send? A hundred thousand? Two hundred thousand? Ten, “fteen thousand, I should think. And we’ll be obsequiously grateful for it.
• (
• ) I’m sorry, it’s me or him.
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• Gaev
• Act Two 33
• Act Two 33
• Act Two 33
• Act Two 33
• No you’re right, I’m hopeless, hopeless. Beyond redemption!
• 34 The Cherry Orchard
• 34 The Cherry Orchard
• I couldn’t look at the house, or the river, or the orchard, anything. Had to get away, ran away. Thought I’d never return, never look into the dark of the river, the dark in my lover’s eyes. Never again.
• 34 The Cherry Orchard
• 34 The Cherry Orchard
• I’ve always spent without thrift, like a woman possessed. Then I married my husband, a man who grew nothing but debts, and we scattered money around us like peasants planting a “eld. He died of champagne – he was a horrible drinker . . .
• Lopakhin
• Gaev
• I can’t imagine you’ve sinned, Lyubov.
• Then I fell for someone worse. And my punishment – We’d only just started the affair, and – that’s when my Grisha – in the river –
• Ranyevskaya
• 34 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• No please don’t go, Yermolai Alekseich. We’ll think of something.
• . . . then double back off the cushion and into the corner – splat! – and cross into the middle . . . A palpable hit!
• Ranyevskaya Gaev
• But please don’t go, please don’t. I like having you here.
• Ranyevskaya
• 34 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya
• Punishment for our sins, perhaps.
• Couldn’t agree more.
• No please don’t go, Yermolai Alekseich. We’ll think of something.
• Ranyevskaya
• Then I fell for someone worse. And my punishment – We’d only just started the affair, and – that’s when my Grisha – in the river –
• Punishment for our sins, perhaps.
• 34 The Cherry Orchard
• I keep thinking something’s going to happen, like the house falling down on our heads . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• But please don’t go, please don’t. I like having you here.
• Ranyevskaya
• I’m afraid I have.
• I’ve always spent without thrift, like a woman possessed. Then I married my husband, a man who grew nothing but debts, and we scattered money around us like peasants planting a “eld. He died of champagne – he was a horrible drinker . . . I couldn’t look at the house, or the river, or the orchard, anything. Had to get away, ran away. Thought I’d never return, never look into the dark of the river, the dark in my lover’s eyes. Never again.
• Gaev
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• I keep thinking something’s going to happen, like the house falling down on our heads . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• 34 The Cherry Orchard
• 34 The Cherry Orchard
• 34 The Cherry Orchard
• 34 The Cherry Orchard
• But dachas, dacha-people – it’s so . . .
• Act Two 35
• Act Two 35
• Act Two 35
• Act Two 35
• Act Two 35
• She pulls a telegram from her pocket.
• As soon as I came around again I was drawn back to Russia, to be here, to be with her in the land of my childhood, the time before all the bad things started.
• You know, I saw a very funny play in the theatre yesterday, this fellow Hamlet was –
• Lopakhin
• Act Two 35
• She gives the telegram to
• Lopakhin
• They still play? How adorable. Let’s have them over sometime, have a party! Wouldn’t that be fun?
• I bought the villa at Menton because he’d fallen ill there and shouldn’t be moved. Three years there. I did my best to nurse him – hardly slept the whole time. And he bled me dry, wrung me out till I had no love left and no money. As soon as I came around again I was drawn back to Russia, to be here, to be with her in the land of my childhood, the time before all the bad things started.
• Gaev
• I bought the villa at Menton because he’d fallen ill there and shouldn’t be moved. Three years there. I did my best to nurse him – hardly slept the whole time. And he bled me dry, wrung me out till I had no love left and no money.
• Act Two 35
• I bought the villa at Menton because he’d fallen ill there and shouldn’t be moved. Three years there. I did my best to nurse him – hardly slept the whole time. And he bled me dry, wrung me out till I had no love left and no money.
• I can’t hear anything.
• God forgive me, haven’t I been punished enough?
• Lopakhin
• Gaev
• I can’t hear anything.
• Act Two 35
• Our famous Jewish orchestra, do you remember? Four violins, a flute and a double-bass.
• She gives the telegram to
• Gaev
• Lopakhin
• Ugh, plays. People shouldn’t waste their time going to the theatre, they’d be better off looking at themselves in the mirror. Plays are merely a distraction from people’s grey, irrelevant lives.
• As soon as I came around again I was drawn back to Russia, to be here, to be with her in the land of my childhood, the time before all the bad things started.
• Ranyevskaya
• I bought the villa at Menton because he’d fallen ill there and shouldn’t be moved. Three years there. I did my best to nurse him – hardly slept the whole time. And he bled me dry, wrung me out till I had no love left and no money.
• Our famous Jewish orchestra, do you remember? Four violins, a flute and a double-bass.
• I bought the villa at Menton because he’d fallen ill there and shouldn’t be moved. Three years there. I did my best to nurse him – hardly slept the whole time. And he bled me dry, wrung me out till I had no love left and no money.
• Act Two 35
• Act Two 35
• Act Two 35
• Act Two 35
• Sold the villa to pay the debts. Ran away to Paris. Again, he came after me. Took him back and he immediately took up with another, cast me off. Tried to poison myself. The shame, that I could forget my living daughter like that . . .
• 36 The Cherry Orchard
• 36 The Cherry Orchard
• I’m so sick of your fussing.
• Firs
• 36 The Cherry Orchard
• 36 The Cherry Orchard
• Please put this on, young sir, or you’ll catch cold.
• Well, probably.
• Firs
• You need a wife, my friend.
• You? No no, you don’t have to work, it won’t suit you. You just stay here.
• Gaev
• Gaev
• 36 The Cherry Orchard
• Our Varya, perhaps. She’s a good girl.
• Lopakhin
• You like her don’t you? You get along?
• taught me nothing except I deserved a dig in the gob for being alive. And I’m not very different; I am my stupid father’s stupid son. I’ve never learned anything, my handwriting is appalling, like a farm animal clutching a stick. You need a wife, my friend.
• Lopakhin
• taught me nothing except I deserved a dig in the gob for being alive. And I’m not very different; I am my stupid father’s stupid son. I’ve never learned anything, my handwriting is appalling, like a farm animal clutching a stick.
• 36 The Cherry Orchard
• Firs
• taught me nothing except I deserved a dig in the gob for being alive. And I’m not very different; I am my stupid father’s stupid son. I’ve never learned anything, my handwriting is appalling, like a farm animal clutching a stick.
• D’you know, they’ve offered me a place at the bank? Six thousand a year.
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin
• Firs
• Gaev
• D’you know, they’ve offered me a place at the bank? Six thousand a year.
• You’ve got so old, Firs. Have we been working you too hard?
• 36 The Cherry Orchard
• I’m twice her age.
• Our Varya, perhaps. She’s a good girl.
• Lopakhin
• Gaev
• enters with
• Please put this on, young sir, or you’ll catch cold. I’m so sick of your fussing. Enough of that now. It’s your own fault for going out this morning with no coat, no nothing. You’ve got so old, Firs. Have we been working you too hard?
• You need a wife, my friend.
• Ranyevskaya
• taught me nothing except I deserved a dig in the gob for being alive. And I’m not very different; I am my stupid father’s stupid son. I’ve never learned anything, my handwriting is appalling, like a farm animal clutching a stick.
• I’m twice her age.
• taught me nothing except I deserved a dig in the gob for being alive. And I’m not very different; I am my stupid father’s stupid son. I’ve never learned anything, my handwriting is appalling, like a farm animal clutching a stick.
• 36 The Cherry Orchard
• 36 The Cherry Orchard
• 36 The Cherry Orchard
• 36 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• Act Two 37
• Act Two 37
• Come and join us, girls.
• Lopakhin
• Act Two 37
• Act Two 37
• There’s Mama, over there.
• (
• Lopakhin
• You preferred it before, when they flogged you?
• and
• Ranyevskaya
• Tro“mov
• Act Two 37
• ) I should say so.
• Everybody knew where they “t in – the peasants belonged to the masters, the masters to the peasants – everything made sense. Not like now when it’s all a mix and a muddle.
• Enter
• want the freedom then, I chose to stay with the master and mistress . . . Everyone was so happy and glad, but no idea what they were celebrating. You preferred it before, when they flogged you?
• I can promise you now nothing will come of it. There’s no way in the world you’ll be able to pay the interest.
• want the freedom then, I chose to stay with the master and mistress . . . Everyone was so happy and glad, but no idea what they were celebrating.
• Act Two 37
• Anya
• want the freedom then, I chose to stay with the master and mistress . . . Everyone was so happy and glad, but no idea what they were celebrating.
• ,
• Firs
• Everybody knew where they “t in – the peasants belonged to the masters, the masters to the peasants – everything made sense. Not like now when it’s all a mix and a muddle.
• Varya
• Ranyevskaya
• ,
• Do you dislike the company of women?
• Act Two 37
• Ranyevskaya
• ) I should say so.
• I can promise you now nothing will come of it. There’s no way in the world you’ll be able to pay the interest.
• Tro“mov
• .
• There’s Mama, over there. Come and join us, girls. I see our mature student is still gadding about with the ladies. Do you dislike the company of women?
• You preferred it before, when they flogged you?
• He’s off in crazyland, there’s no general.
• want the freedom then, I chose to stay with the master and mistress . . . Everyone was so happy and glad, but no idea what they were celebrating.
• Ranyevskaya
• want the freedom then, I chose to stay with the master and mistress . . . Everyone was so happy and glad, but no idea what they were celebrating.
• Act Two 37
• Act Two 37
• Act Two 37
• Act Two 37
• Lopakhin
• 38 The Cherry Orchard
• 38 The Cherry Orchard
• Tro“mov
• 38 The Cherry Orchard
• 38 The Cherry Orchard
• Lopakhin
• Tro“mov
• Lopakhin
• Gaev
• Isn’t he just? He scorns not only me but all mankind . . .
• ‘What is mankind’s greatest achievement?’
• 38 The Cherry Orchard
• necessary
• . That is what I think of you.
• Ranyevskaya
• Tro“mov Lopakhin
• Let’s go back to yesterday’s conversation.
• Tro“mov
• 38 The Cherry Orchard
• Aren’t you clever, Petya?
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• Please.
• . That is what I think of you.
• Work or not work, we all still die.
• Isn’t he just? He scorns not only me but all mankind . . .
• Tro“mov
• 38 The Cherry Orchard
• Tro“mov
• necessary
• Let’s go back to yesterday’s conversation.
• ‘What is mankind’s greatest achievement?’
• Tro“mov
• Lopakhin Tro“mov
• Lopakhin
• Which was that?
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• 38 The Cherry Orchard
• 38 The Cherry Orchard
• 38 The Cherry Orchard
• 38 The Cherry Orchard
• Really?
• Act Two 39
• Act Two 39
• Act Two 39
• Act Two 39
• Act Two 39
• Ranyevskaya
• Lopakhin
• Act Two 39
• only if we do the work. And if we don’t do the work, the truth and the light will elude us forever. So it pains me to see how few among us here in Russia are working at all. Most of the so-called intelligentsia that I know have no curiosity, no energy and no desire to work. They consider themselves intelligent but they treat their servants like peasants and their peasants like dirt. They don’t study, they hardly read, and then nothing of substance. They talk about art and science with serious faces as if they know anything but really it’s all on the surface, nothing deeper, and all the time they’re pretending to philosophise, their workers are suffering and shivering, eating pigswill and sleeping on stone floors, thirty or forty to a barn, bedbugs everywhere, the damp stench of moral degradation. And it’s clear to me that all our “ne talk is purely a distraction. We comfort ourselves that there are public libraries and creches for the people, but none of us has ever seen these things with our own eyes. So perhaps they are as “ctional as the novels we don’t read. Nothing of worth anywhere, only barbarism and ignorance on all sides. Lopakhin
• only if we do the work. And if we don’t do the work, the truth and the light will elude us forever. So it pains me to see how few among us here in Russia are working at all. Most of the so-called intelligentsia that I know have no curiosity, no energy and no desire to work. They consider themselves intelligent but they treat their servants like peasants and their peasants like dirt. They don’t study, they hardly read, and then nothing of substance. They talk about art and science with serious faces as if they know anything but really it’s all on the surface, nothing deeper, and all the time they’re pretending to philosophise, their workers are suffering and shivering, eating pigswill and sleeping on stone floors, thirty or forty to a barn, bedbugs everywhere, the damp stench of moral degradation. And it’s clear to me that all our “ne talk is purely a distraction. We comfort ourselves that there are public libraries and creches for the people, but none of us has ever seen these things with our own eyes. So perhaps they are as “ctional as the novels we don’t read. Nothing of worth anywhere, only barbarism and ignorance on all sides.
• Act Two 39
• only if we do the work. And if we don’t do the work, the truth and the light will elude us forever. So it pains me to see how few among us here in Russia are working at all. Most of the so-called intelligentsia that I know have no curiosity, no energy and no desire to work. They consider themselves intelligent but they treat their servants like peasants and their peasants like dirt. They don’t study, they hardly read, and then nothing of substance. They talk about art and science with serious faces as if they know anything but really it’s all on the surface, nothing deeper, and all the time they’re pretending to philosophise, their workers are suffering and shivering, eating pigswill and sleeping on stone floors, thirty or forty to a barn, bedbugs everywhere, the damp stench of moral degradation. And it’s clear to me that all our “ne talk is purely a distraction. We comfort ourselves that there are public libraries and creches for the people, but none of us has ever seen these things with our own eyes. So perhaps they are as “ctional as the novels we don’t read. Nothing of worth anywhere, only barbarism and ignorance on all sides.
• I get up before the sun, “ve in the morning, and I work till late at night, so perhaps Tro“mov wouldn’t consider me one of his intelligentsia. But I’m constantly handling money – my own and other people’s – and I see what it does to a man. You only have to begin to try making something happen in this world before you see how few honest, decent people there are, and how many grubby, grabby ones. Some nights when I can’t sleep I turn it over in my head: ‘Dear God, you have entrusted to us the forest and the plain, taiga and tundra, the whole wide vastness. Living here as we do, we ourselves should be giants . . .’
• Act Two 39
• Lopakhin
• only if we do the work. And if we don’t do the work, the truth and the light will elude us forever. So it pains me to see how few among us here in Russia are working at all. Most of the so-called intelligentsia that I know have no curiosity, no energy and no desire to work. They consider themselves intelligent but they treat their servants like peasants and their peasants like dirt. They don’t study, they hardly read, and then nothing of substance. They talk about art and science with serious faces as if they know anything but really it’s all on the surface, nothing deeper, and all the time they’re pretending to philosophise, their workers are suffering and shivering, eating pigswill and sleeping on stone floors, thirty or forty to a barn, bedbugs everywhere, the damp stench of moral degradation. And it’s clear to me that all our “ne talk is purely a distraction. We comfort ourselves that there are public libraries and creches for the people, but none of us has ever seen these things with our own eyes. So perhaps they are as “ctional as the novels we don’t read. Nothing of worth anywhere, only barbarism and ignorance on all sides.
• only if we do the work. And if we don’t do the work, the truth and the light will elude us forever. So it pains me to see how few among us here in Russia are working at all. Most of the so-called intelligentsia that I know have no curiosity, no energy and no desire to work. They consider themselves intelligent but they treat their servants like peasants and their peasants like dirt. They don’t study, they hardly read, and then nothing of substance. They talk about art and science with serious faces as if they know anything but really it’s all on the surface, nothing deeper, and all the time they’re pretending to philosophise, their workers are suffering and shivering, eating pigswill and sleeping on stone floors, thirty or forty to a barn, bedbugs everywhere, the damp stench of moral degradation. And it’s clear to me that all our “ne talk is purely a distraction. We comfort ourselves that there are public libraries and creches for the people, but none of us has ever seen these things with our own eyes. So perhaps they are as “ctional as the novels we don’t read. Nothing of worth anywhere, only barbarism and ignorance on all sides.
• Act Two 39
• Act Two 39
• Act Two 39
• Act Two 39
• ‘But no, Petya, don’t talk of such things – I’m frightened of serious conversations, better to be quiet and drink your tea . . .’
• 40 The Cherry Orchard
• 40 The Cherry Orchard
• Suddenly a distant sound reverberates/rings out, as though from the sky: the sound of a breaking string, dying away, mournful.
• Gaev
• 40 The Cherry Orchard
• 40 The Cherry Orchard
• Firs
• ) Look, it’s Yepikhodov . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• (
• Uncle you’ve gone again . . .
• muttering quietly.
• Varya
• 40 The Cherry Orchard
• (
• pensively
• Let us wish her on her way: Great mother of every creature living or dead, you shine your effortless luminescence upon us, beautiful and indifferent to the lives you begin and the death with which you destroy them . . .
• Yepikhodov (
• Tro“mov
• Yepikhodov
• 40 The Cherry Orchard
• They all sit lost in thought. Silence, except for
• Yepikhodov
• Uncle, darling . . .
• Pensively.
• pensively
• Tro“mov
• muttering quietly.
• Uncle, darling . . .
• God only knows. Perhaps down there in the mines a cable snapped with a bang. Somewhere far away.
• 40 The Cherry Orchard
• Yes.
• (
• Tro“mov
• Varya
• You’d make more sense potting the yellow off the cushion into the middle . . .
• Firs Suddenly a distant sound reverberates/rings out, as though from the sky: the sound of a breaking string, dying away, mournful. What was that? God only knows. Perhaps down there in the mines a cable snapped with a bang. Somewhere far away.
• (
• Gaev
• Yepikhodov
• Yes.
• Yepikhodov
• 40 The Cherry Orchard
• 40 The Cherry Orchard
• 40 The Cherry Orchard
• 40 The Cherry Orchard
• crosses in the distance, quietly playing the guitar.
• Act Two 41
• Act Two 41
• Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
• Ranyevskaya
• The
• Act Two 41
• Act Two 41
• Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
• Nothing, Mama. I’m alright.
• takes fright and shrieks.
• Anya, there are tears in your eyes, what is it, my love?
• The others laugh at him. He isn’t discouraged and starts to recite
• The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
• Is vey gray-ful, fank you vey muchly.
• Act Two 41
• Who’s this coming?
• A
• Passer-by
• Ranyevskaya Anya, there are tears in your eyes, what is it, my love?
• Es-cuse me, ist possble ge stay-station . . . train- station here please?
• Ranyevskaya
• Act Two 41
• Give me your tired, your poor,
• Ranyevskaya
• He makes a supreme effort to seem sober.
• Anya
• A
• (
• The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
• He makes a supreme effort to seem sober.
• and
• Act Two 41
• Gaev
• Who’s this coming?
• Es-cuse me, ist possble ge stay-station . . . train- station here please?
• Is vey gray-ful, fank you vey muchly.
• now perfectly spoken
• Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, He lurches towards and
• Anya, there are tears in your eyes, what is it, my love?
• Yes, down that road.
• Ranyevskaya
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• Act Two 41
• Act Two 41
• Act Two 41
• Act Two 41
• Oh friends, let’s go inside, the sun won’t change her mind now she’s got ready for bed . . .
• 42 The Cherry Orchard
• 42 The Cherry Orchard
• Anya
• She’s scared we’ll fall in love with each other, that’s why she won’t leave us alone. She’s too narrow-minded to imagine that we’re about something higher than love. That we are united in our desire to avoid the trivialities of romance, in favour of something much more consequential to the universe. Human freedom – the bright star of
• 42 The Cherry Orchard
• 42 The Cherry Orchard
• Tro“mov
• Lopakhin
• Ranyevskaya
• Let’s go. It’s nearly time for supper.
• and
• ‘Lord we know what we are, but know not what we may be’
• 42 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• Alright, let’s go then. Oh by the way, Varya, we’ve married you off, it’s all decided.
• Lopakhin
• Varya Ranyevskaya
• ‘Ophelia, get thee to a nunnery . . .’
• Varya
• 42 The Cherry Orchard
• They all go out except
• Varya
• . . .
• You’re right, what’s to be done with me? When we get home I’ll give you every last kopek and you can be in charge. Lopakhin, will you lend me some more money?
• Alright, let’s go then. Oh by the way, Varya, we’ve married you off, it’s all decided.
• Varya
• and
• . . .
• Tro“mov
• 42 The Cherry Orchard
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• ‘Ophelia, get thee to a nunnery . . .’
• ‘Lord we know what we are, but know not what we may be’
• Sorry, Mama, that man frightened me. My heart’s still pounding.
• Tro“mov Anya Anya Tro“mov
• Ranyevskaya
• My hands shake now. Can’t even play billiards anymore.
• Varya
• Gaev
• Varya
• 42 The Cherry Orchard
• 42 The Cherry Orchard
• 42 The Cherry Orchard
• 42 The Cherry Orchard
• I can’t bear it, Mama, really – we’ve nothing to feed the servants with and you gave him a gold coin!
• Act Two 43
• Act Two 43
• Act Two 43
• Act Two 43
• Act Two 43
• Yes we’ve had good weather this week.
• You speak so beautifully! It’s heaven here today.
• Act Two 43
• You’ve changed me, Petya. I don’t love the orchard as I used to. I used to love it so much – it felt to me like there was no better place on the earth.
• Tro“mov
• enlightenment that burns in the distance, the light at the end of the banal, that draws us irresistibly on! Into the light, friends! Into the light! You speak so beautifully! It’s heaven here today.
• But it seems to me entirely clear that if we want to live freely in the present, without the weight of history on our backs, then we must atone and repair, redeem ourselves with our own suffering, with exceptional and unremitting labour.
• enlightenment that burns in the distance, the light at the end of the banal, that draws us irresistibly on! Into the light, friends! Into the light!
• Act Two 43
• enlightenment that burns in the distance, the light at the end of the banal, that draws us irresistibly on! Into the light, friends! Into the light!
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• Act Two 43
• Do you understand me, Anya?
• You’ve changed me, Petya. I don’t love the orchard as I used to. I used to love it so much – it felt to me like there was no better place on the earth.
• But it seems to me entirely clear that if we want to live freely in the present, without the weight of history on our backs, then we must atone and repair, redeem ourselves with our own suffering, with exceptional and unremitting labour.
• You speak so beautifully! It’s heaven here today.
• enlightenment that burns in the distance, the light at the end of the banal, that draws us irresistibly on! Into the light, friends! Into the light!
• Do you understand me, Anya?
• enlightenment that burns in the distance, the light at the end of the banal, that draws us irresistibly on! Into the light, friends! Into the light!
• Act Two 43
• Act Two 43
• Act Two 43
• Act Two 43
• Anya
• 44 The Cherry Orchard
• 44 The Cherry Orchard
• Anya! Where are you?
• Tro“mov
• 44 The Cherry Orchard
• 44 The Cherry Orchard
• And even if we never catch up with it, with happiness, where’s the harm in searching? Others may “nd it thanks to us . . .
• Anya
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• Yes, the moon has come to listen to us. ‘What’s that you say, humans? Happiness?’ Yes, Moon – it’s coming closer and closer, listen for the footsteps . . .
• Voice of Varya
• Voice of Varya
• 44 The Cherry Orchard
• Tro“mov
• Believe me, Anya. I’m not thirty yet, I’m still young, an undergraduate, but already I have endured such hard times. In the winter I am cold, as hungry, sick and anxious as a beggar, hounded by fate, a wolf who cannot come to the kitchen door for scraps because he knows how the meat was slaughtered.
• calls:
• Anya Tro“mov
• Yepikhodov
• Anya
• 44 The Cherry Orchard
• Tro“mov
• Anya
• Anya! Where are you?
• If you have keys to the house, then throw them in the well and release yourself. Embrace your freedom.
• Believe me, Anya. I’m not thirty yet, I’m still young, an undergraduate, but already I have endured such hard times. In the winter I am cold, as hungry, sick and anxious as a beggar, hounded by fate, a wolf who cannot come to the kitchen door for scraps because he knows how the meat was slaughtered.
• Anya
• Voice of Varya
• Anya! Where are you?
• Let’s go down to the river. It’s quiet there.
• 44 The Cherry Orchard
• can be heard playing the same song on the guitar. The moon rises. Somewhere nearby,
• Tro“mov
• Yepikhodov
• Voice of Varya
• (
• And even if we never catch up with it, with happiness, where’s the harm in searching? Others may “nd it thanks to us . . . Anya! Where are you? God’s sake, always on our tails. Let’s go down to the river. It’s quiet there.
• Tro“mov
• Varya
• Anya
• can be heard playing the same song on the guitar. The moon rises. Somewhere nearby,
• Anya
• 44 The Cherry Orchard
• 44 The Cherry Orchard
• 44 The Cherry Orchard
• 44 The Cherry Orchard
• I understand that the house I live in has not truly been ours for a long time, and I promise you I will leave it if you ask me to.
• Act Two 45
• Act Two 45
• Act Two 45
• Act Two 45
• Act Two 45
• Blackout.
• Act Two 45
• Voice of Varya Blackout.
• Voice of Varya
• Act Two 45
• Voice of Varya
• Act Two 45
• Blackout.
• Voice of Varya
• Voice of Varya
• Act Two 45
• Act Two 45
• Act Two 45
• Act Two 45
• Anya! Anya!
• Act Three
• Act Three
• Act Three
• Act Three
• appears in the archway into the ballroom
• and
• In the ballroom there is dancing.
• Tro“mov
• .
• I shouldn’t be dancing, I’ve had two strokes. And high blood pressure. But you know what they say, if you want to run with the pack you’d better be ready to shake your tail . . .
• Act Three
• come into the drawing room.
• Pishchik
• Oh bloody hell get me a chair.
• The drawing room, separated by an arch from the ballroom. Evening. In the ballroom there is dancing.
• Pishchik
• The drawing room, separated by an arch from the ballroom. Evening.
• Act Three
• Varya
• The drawing room, separated by an arch from the ballroom. Evening.
• Always had the constitution of a horse. My dear old papa was an absolute piss-head – rest in peace – he used to say the great, ancient bloodline of the Simeonov-Pishchiks was descended from that horse that Caligula made a senator. What a thing, eh?
• Pishchik
• Pishchik
• I’ve often thought you were quite horsey. For a man.
• .
• Always had the constitution of a horse. My dear old papa was an absolute piss-head – rest in peace – he used to say the great, ancient bloodline of the Simeonov-Pishchiks was descended from that horse that Caligula made a senator. What a thing, eh?
• Act Three
• Jesus Christ . . . Oof . . .
• come into the drawing room.
• Pishchik
• I shouldn’t be dancing, I’ve had two strokes. And high blood pressure. But you know what they say, if you want to run with the pack you’d better be ready to shake your tail . . .
• Pishchik
• appears in the archway into the ballroom
• In the ballroom there is dancing.
• I’m quite alright. No, I’m not. Wait, hang on . . . No . . .
• The drawing room, separated by an arch from the ballroom. Evening.
• Jesus Christ . . . Oof . . .
• The drawing room, separated by an arch from the ballroom. Evening.
• Act Three
• Act Three
• Act Three
• Act Three
• The Jewish orchestra, as mentioned in the second act, can be heard playing in the entrance hall.
• Act Three 47
• Act Three 47
• come in.
• Act Three 47
• Act Three 47
• and
• Varya
• teasing
• My daughter Dashenka – she tells me all about it. This moment in time I’m in such a bind I might even do it, I might even forge bank notes. The day after tomorrow I’ve to pay them three hundred and ten roubles. So far I’ve got hold of a hundred and “fty – thirty . . .
• Sharlotta
• Tro“mov
• Act Three 47
• Tro“mov
• Yes! I am a pile of dirty washing and proud of it!
• Yes, most likely. Nietzsche – the great philosopher, you know – a man of the greatest intellect, he tells us in his writings that a man may forge bank notes if he’s pushed to it.
• Tro“mov teasing
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• Act Three 47
• Ranyevskaya
• Tro“mov
• You’ve read Nietzsche?
• ) Oh look, it’s Mrs Lopakhin!
• Yes! I am a pile of dirty washing and proud of it!
• He feels in his pocket.
• Sharlotta
• You’ve read Nietzsche?
• Act Three 47
• You know, Pishchik, the amount of energy you’ve spent over your whole life looking for money to pay the interest, if you’d been able to spend all that time and energy on something else you might have invented something that changed the world.
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• What? No, it’s gone! The money, I’ve lost it! Oh God, where is it . . .
• and come in. Why is Leonid taking so long in town? What can he be doing?
• teasing
• Pishchik
• Tro“mov
• You know, Pishchik, the amount of energy you’ve spent over your whole life looking for money to pay the interest, if you’d been able to spend all that time and energy on something else you might have invented something that changed the world.
• Tro“mov
• Act Three 47
• Act Three 47
• Act Three 47
• Act Three 47
• (
• 48 The Cherry Orchard
• 48 The Cherry Orchard
• Pishchik
• now holds out the cards to
• And you – who will be on top now?
• 48 The Cherry Orchard
• 48 The Cherry Orchard
• drei
• Ranyevskaya
• Quickly tell me – what card will be next?
• Dunyasha
• Sharlotta
• ! Now look in your pocket – that side . . .
• Think of a card, any card.
• 48 The Cherry Orchard
• Tro“mov
• Perhaps the auction was cancelled.
• ) Pack of cards.
• Ranyevskaya Dunyasha
• (
• Ranyevskaya
• 48 The Cherry Orchard
• ,
• Ranyevskaya
• Pishchik
• .
• Perhaps the auction was cancelled.
• Give them a shuffle - that’s it - now, Mr Pishchik,
• ! Now look in your pocket – that side . . .
• Pishchik
• Sharlotta
• 48 The Cherry Orchard
• to
• Tro“mov
• (
• Think of a card, any card.
• ein
• drei Pishchik Pishchik Sharlotta
• Dunyasha
• Pishchik
• Ranyevskaya
• to
• Ranyevskaya
• 48 The Cherry Orchard
• 48 The Cherry Orchard
• 48 The Cherry Orchard
• 48 The Cherry Orchard
• calls
• Act Three 49
• Act Three 49
• ,
• behind it.
• She raises the rug then lowers it again: this time
• Pishchik
• Act Three 49
• Act Three 49
• ,
• Not at all, I think you’re exquisite.
• Oh brava, Sharlotta! Brava!
• You’re very kind to say so.
• She takes a rug and shows it to them.
• zwei
• ) Do you think she’s got any money?
• Act Three 49
• A ventriloquist to boot! What a thing. What an enchantress you are, Sharlotta. I am utterly in love with you.
• Sharlotta
• Tro“mov
• Sharlotta You’re very kind to say so.
• Pishchik
• Sharlotta
• Act Three 49
• Ein
• Sharlotta
• Sharlotta
• The puppet speaks up again:
• Sharlotta
• Now look at this rug. It’s a very good rug, I should like to sell it. Would anyone care to buy?
• zwei
• Sharlotta
• Anya
• Act Three 49
• (
• A ventriloquist to boot! What a thing. What an enchantress you are, Sharlotta. I am utterly in love with you.
• Pishchik
• ) Do you think she’s got any money?
• Pishchik
• , , ! Anya
• You’re very kind to say so.
• to
• Sharlotta
• (
• Sharlotta
• Act Three 49
• Act Three 49
• Act Three 49
• Act Three 49
• replies to the puppet:
• 50 The Cherry Orchard
• 50 The Cherry Orchard
• 50 The Cherry Orchard
• 50 The Cherry Orchard
• 50 The Cherry Orchard
• I’m sure Uncle has bought it. Perhaps he’s celebrating.
• And my brother’s still not back. Surely everything that might happen has already happened – either the estate has been sold, or it hasn’t, or the auction didn’t happen – anyway why keep us all in the dark?
• Varya
• Would you shut up about that! You’ve no right to shame me: you’ve been sent down from university twice.
• 50 The Cherry Orchard
• Yes, no doubt of that . . .
• Varya
• Varya
• He goes out. And my brother’s still not back. Surely everything that might happen has already happened – either the estate has been sold, or it hasn’t, or the auction didn’t happen – anyway why keep us all in the dark?
• God help me, my fate is being decided as we sit here . . .
• He goes out.
• 50 The Cherry Orchard
• Mama please – I can’t ask him myself. Everyone’s been talking about it for two years, all saying I should marry him – every single person but him! He just stays quiet or makes a joke. Or moos at me. He’s a busy man, of course, he’s a businessman, he’s got money to make, things to do. He doesn’t have time for me. He doesn’t have time to think about it like we all do.
• He goes out.
• Ranyevskaya
• Varya
• Varya
• Sorry, Mama. You’re right, he’s a good man. I like him.
• Ranyevskaya
• 50 The Cherry Orchard
• Tro“mov
• Yes, no doubt of that . . .
• God help me, my fate is being decided as we sit here . . .
• Would you shut up about that! You’ve no right to shame me: you’ve been sent down from university twice.
• Ranyevskaya
• And my brother’s still not back. Surely everything that might happen has already happened – either the estate has been sold, or it hasn’t, or the auction didn’t happen – anyway why keep us all in the dark?
• Whatever’s to be done? Eh, Mrs Lopakhin?
• He goes out.
• Tro“mov
• He goes out.
• 50 The Cherry Orchard
• 50 The Cherry Orchard
• 50 The Cherry Orchard
• 50 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• Act Three 51
• Act Three 51
• Tro“mov
• Act Three 51
• Act Three 51
• Ranyevskaya
• of it all!
• The
• Varya
• I no doubt am lower. Oh, where’s Leonid got to? I need to know if the estate’s been sold. I can’t make myself believe such – such an awful thing could happen, how do I – what can I do, how do I make it make sense? I’m losing my grip! I could scream, Petya, I could do something silly . . . Talk me down, Petya, please? Say something, anything . . .
• He goes out again.
• Act Three 51
• Really,
• must
• Yepikhodov has broken a billiard cue!
• I wish I had something of my own, even a hundred roubles would do it. I’d throw it all over and go away. Go into a nunnery. The
• Yasha
• I wish I had something of my own, even a hundred roubles would do it. I’d throw it all over and go away. Go into a nunnery.
• Act Three 51
• Well she shouldn’t take it out on everyone else. She’s always poking around in other people’s affairs. This whole summer she’s hardly given Anya and I a moment without her. Terri“ed we might begin a romance. What’s it to her? Besides which, I’ve never shown a single sign of it, I am far too busy with my studies to entertain such banality. We are higher than love!
• I wish I had something of my own, even a hundred roubles would do it. I’d throw it all over and go away. Go into a nunnery.
• Varya
• beauty
• must
• Why in God’s – Who let Yepikhodov anywhere near the billiards? Honestly, these people . . .
• I no doubt am lower. Oh, where’s Leonid got to? I need to know if the estate’s been sold. I can’t make myself believe such – such an awful thing could happen, how do I – what can I do, how do I make it make sense? I’m losing my grip! I could scream, Petya, I could do something silly . . . Talk me down, Petya, please? Say something, anything . . .
• Varya
• Act Three 51
• comes in.
• Really,
• Yasha
• He goes out again.
• Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya Tro“mov
• The
• Yasha
• I wish I had something of my own, even a hundred roubles would do it. I’d throw it all over and go away. Go into a nunnery.
• comes in.
• I wish I had something of my own, even a hundred roubles would do it. I’d throw it all over and go away. Go into a nunnery.
• Act Three 51
• Act Three 51
• Act Three 51
• Act Three 51
• Tro“mov
• 52 The Cherry Orchard
• 52 The Cherry Orchard
• 52 The Cherry Orchard
• 52 The Cherry Orchard
• 52 The Cherry Orchard
• Easy to think of yourself as principled and profound if you’ve never been truly questioned.
• What truth? You seem to think it’s obvious – I can’t see the truth for the trees. Where do you get all this courage?
• . You let fate toss you around from place to place, nothing solid, nothing real. You’re an un“nished work, aren’t you? What do you intend to become,
• 52 The Cherry Orchard
• I was born here, my father and mother lived here and my grandfather before. I love this house – I am this house – I can’t make any sense of a life without this place, there’s no meaning. If it really must be sold, then sell me with it. My son drowned here.
• Tro“mov
• living
• Breathe, be calm. Be honest with yourself, try to face it bravely. The truth. What truth? You seem to think it’s obvious – I can’t see the truth for the trees. Where do you get all this courage?
• Ranyevskaya
• Breathe, be calm. Be honest with yourself, try to face it bravely. The truth.
• 52 The Cherry Orchard
• Breathe, be calm. Be honest with yourself, try to face it bravely. The truth.
• This fearlessness when the questions are – when it feels to me like life or death and you seem able to stand back and just – face it like it’s hypothetical. Is it hypothetical to you, is that why? You’ve never lost your home, your child, your heart.
• Tro“mov
• 52 The Cherry Orchard
• I feel heavy in my soul today. You couldn’t imagine . . . Strange noises everywhere, they keep making me jump. I can’t do anything. Look, I’m shaking. I want to be alone but I can’t, I can’t bear the silence. I’m not this kind of a woman!
• I was born here, my father and mother lived here and my grandfather before. I love this house – I am this house – I can’t make any sense of a life without this place, there’s no meaning. If it really must be sold, then sell me with it. My son drowned here.
• Ranyevskaya
• . You let fate toss you around from place to place, nothing solid, nothing real. You’re an un“nished work, aren’t you? What do you intend to become,
• What truth? You seem to think it’s obvious – I can’t see the truth for the trees. Where do you get all this courage?
• Oh, Petya. You know I love you like one of this family. I would gladly give you Anya to marry only you must “nish your studies and start
• Breathe, be calm. Be honest with yourself, try to face it bravely. The truth.
• I feel heavy in my soul today. You couldn’t imagine . . . Strange noises everywhere, they keep making me jump. I can’t do anything. Look, I’m shaking. I want to be alone but I can’t, I can’t bear the silence. I’m not this kind of a woman!
• Breathe, be calm. Be honest with yourself, try to face it bravely. The truth.
• 52 The Cherry Orchard
• 52 The Cherry Orchard
• 52 The Cherry Orchard
• 52 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• Act Three 53
• Act Three 53
• love
• Act Three 53
• Act Three 53
• Ranyevskaya
• I have no interest in being considered handsome.
• picks up the telegram.
• ransacked
• Be a man – you should know by now what it is to
• Don’t say it, please no . . .
• Act Three 53
• It’s a telegram from Paris. I get one every day. Today, yesterday, tomorrow. He’s fallen ill again, it’s gone from bad to worse to hopeless. He asks me to forgive him, begs me to come.
• It’s only four days away – I’d be there and back in two weeks.
• Ranyevskaya
• and when? And you really must do something to make that beard grow, honestly – look at you! picks up the telegram.
• I’m sorry, I have to – forgive me but God’s sake, he
• and when? And you really must do something to make that beard grow, honestly – look at you!
• Act Three 53
• No I don’t!
• and when? And you really must do something to make that beard grow, honestly – look at you!
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• It’s only four days away – I’d be there and back in two weeks.
• you, and you’re the only one who can’t see it.
• Be a man – you should know by now what it is to
• Tro“mov
• Act Three 53
• stole
• It’s a telegram from Paris. I get one every day. Today, yesterday, tomorrow. He’s fallen ill again, it’s gone from bad to worse to hopeless. He asks me to forgive him, begs me to come.
• I’m sorry, I have to – forgive me but God’s sake, he
• Don’t say it, please no . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya love Tro“mov
• picks up the telegram.
• from you!
• and when? And you really must do something to make that beard grow, honestly – look at you!
• stole
• and when? And you really must do something to make that beard grow, honestly – look at you!
• Act Three 53
• Act Three 53
• Act Three 53
• Act Three 53
• Tro“mov
• 54 The Cherry Orchard
• 54 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• and
• 54 The Cherry Orchard
• 54 The Cherry Orchard
• Anya
• He goes out but immediately comes back:
• enters, puts his stick against the side door.
• Tro“mov
• Petya has fallen down the stairs!
• Varya! Come on, you’re dancing.
• Anya
• 54 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• Wait! I didn’t mean it, I’m sorry! – Petya!
• What’s going on?
• Ranyevskaya Tro“mov
• Varya
• Ranyevskaya
• 54 The Cherry Orchard
• Oh Petya! Don’t cripple yourself on my account. Come and dance with me!
• Ranyevskaya
• runs in, laughing.
• This is appalling, I won’t listen! No, I’m leaving . . .
• Wait! I didn’t mean it, I’m sorry! – Petya!
• She runs out again.
• Varya! Come on, you’re dancing.
• runs in, laughing.
• Anya
• 54 The Cherry Orchard
• shriek, but then straight away laughter can be heard.
• Ranyevskaya
• Varya
• Anya
• Ranyevskaya
• Anya Ranyevskaya Tro“mov Anya
• Tro“mov
• Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya
• shriek, but then straight away laughter can be heard.
• Ranyevskaya
• 54 The Cherry Orchard
• 54 The Cherry Orchard
• 54 The Cherry Orchard
• 54 The Cherry Orchard
• That you’re a terrible prude. ‘I am higher than love’ – ha! You’re nowhere near it. As Firs would say, you’re a little pickle. Not even a mistress, at twenty-seven . . .
• Act Three 55
• Act Three 55
• , they both go out.
• Ranyevskaya
• Act Three 55
• Act Three 55
• She dances with
• Agh, you rotten little pickle . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• More’s the pity. Couldn’t you stop taking it and put us all out of our misery?
• Anya
• Tro“mov
• I just heard in the kitchen someone saying the cherry orchard was sold today.
• Act Three 55
• and
• Ranyevskaya
• Anya
• every day for twenty years, maybe more. I expect that’s what’s kept me alive so long. More’s the pity. Couldn’t you stop taking it and put us all out of our misery?
• . Now I’d like to sit down a little, I’m tired.
• every day for twenty years, maybe more. I expect that’s what’s kept me alive so long.
• Act Three 55
• He didn’t say. He’s left now.
• every day for twenty years, maybe more. I expect that’s what’s kept me alive so long.
• Ranyevskaya
• Firs
• Ranyevskaya
• Friend of one of the servants.
• Tro“mov
• Ranyevskaya
• And the young sir still isn’t home, he went out only in his light overcoat. No doubt he’ll catch cold, and then where will we be? So foolish, these youngsters.
• Act Three 55
• Anya
• and
• . Now I’d like to sit down a little, I’m tired.
• I just heard in the kitchen someone saying the cherry orchard was sold today.
• Ranyevskaya
• She dances with , they both go out. Some old provincial gossip, these people have nothing better to do. And the young sir still isn’t home, he went out only in his light overcoat. No doubt he’ll catch cold, and then where will we be? So foolish, these youngsters.
• More’s the pity. Couldn’t you stop taking it and put us all out of our misery?
• comes in.
• every day for twenty years, maybe more. I expect that’s what’s kept me alive so long.
• Anya
• every day for twenty years, maybe more. I expect that’s what’s kept me alive so long.
• Act Three 55
• Act Three 55
• Act Three 55
• Act Three 55
• Yasha
• 56 The Cherry Orchard
• 56 The Cherry Orchard
• dances, to the amusement of the others.
• 56 The Cherry Orchard
• 56 The Cherry Orchard
• In the ballroom,
• Ranyevskaya
• Firs
• Yasha
• Sharlotta
• goes with him.
• 56 The Cherry Orchard
• Firs
• Oh yes, I go to bed and then what happens? Who’ll be there to bring things, look after things, sort everything out if not me? There’s only me left now, you know. Only me in the whole house.
• Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya Firs
• comes in.
• Ranyevskaya
• 56 The Cherry Orchard
• If it’s the last thing we ever do . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• Pishchik
• That is for you to order, and me to obey.
• Oh yes, I go to bed and then what happens? Who’ll be there to bring things, look after things, sort everything out if not me? There’s only me left now, you know. Only me in the whole house.
• (
• Sharlotta
• Pishchik
• and powders her nose.
• 56 The Cherry Orchard
• Pishchik
• Firs
• comes in.
• goes with him.
• sings to himself
• In the ballroom, dances, to the amusement of the others. comes in, sidles over towards and powders her nose.
• Firs
• Might I persuade you, dearest lady, to a gallop around the racetrack? By which I mean will you join me in a waltz?
• Ranyevskaya
• Pishchik
• Ranyevskaya
• 56 The Cherry Orchard
• 56 The Cherry Orchard
• 56 The Cherry Orchard
• 56 The Cherry Orchard
• Firs, what happens to you if the estate is sold?
• Act Three 57
• Act Three 57
• Varya
• Act Three 57
• Act Three 57
• Yepikhodov
• Dunyasha
• Firs
• Yepikhodov
• Exactly what I thought you’d say. Well, thank you, God, I hope you’re having a good laugh up there . . .
• Well, Dunyasha, have you “nished dancing with every other man but me? You might conceal your contempt a little better – you look at me as if I was a cockroach or an earwig. God, my life . . .
• Act Three 57
• Yasha
• God, how banal.
• Yepikhodov
• Dunyasha Firs
• You’ll have your head turned if you’re not careful.
• Dunyasha
• Act Three 57
• Oh God can we talk about this later? I’m having the night of my life.
• Dunyasha
• Dunyasha
• What did he say to you?
• God, how banal.
• The one thing you seem determined not to give me . . . And perhaps you’re right, but I’m afraid the problem is that you have me by the – in the palm of your hand, absolutely hook, line and sinker and nothing to be done about it. I know I’m hounded by bad luck, every day something catastrophic happens to me. I’m used to it by now, I almost laugh in the face of my fate. But I did think the world might give me
• Exactly what I thought you’d say. Well, thank you, God, I hope you’re having a good laugh up there . . .
• Dunyasha
• Act Three 57
• Yepikhodov
• Yasha
• You’ll have your head turned if you’re not careful.
• Well, Dunyasha, have you “nished dancing with every other man but me? You might conceal your contempt a little better – you look at me as if I was a cockroach or an earwig. God, my life . . .
• one
• Yepikhodov Varya
• Firs
• comes in, cross.
• Dunyasha
• Yepikhodov
• Dunyasha
• Act Three 57
• Act Three 57
• Act Three 57
• Act Three 57
• Anya made me dance – there aren’t enough ladies to go round all the male partners, but God I’ve danced so much my head’s spinning, my heart’s pounding. I think I’ve been asked for more dances than the mistress. And d’you know what, Firs? The post-of“ce clerk just said something to me that took my breath away.
• 58 The Cherry Orchard
• 58 The Cherry Orchard
• Oh, you’re coming back, are you?
• 58 The Cherry Orchard
• 58 The Cherry Orchard
• This is unconscionable – I shall be speaking to the mistress . . .
• I don’t think you should berate me like that.
• First you play billiards and break a cue, then you’re mooching around in the drawing room as if you were a guest, now you’re shouting your mouth off in here!
• in pursuit.
• Varya
• Yepikhodov
• 58 The Cherry Orchard
• You don’t do enough to deserve berating, all you do is wander about aimlessly from place to place failing to look busy. Why do we keep a clerk? You’re not worth what it costs to feed you, and God knows you eat enough.
• Yepikhodov
• That’s it, get out of here.
• Varya First you play billiards and break a cue, then you’re mooching around in the drawing room as if you were a guest, now you’re shouting your mouth off in here!
• Yepikhodov
• Varya
• 58 The Cherry Orchard
• Yepikhodov
• Varya
• goes towards the door with
• Yepikhodov
• Yepikhodov
• Varya
• Varya
• goes towards the door with
• Well, come on then, you’ve broken every last billiard cue, see if you can break this as well, come on –
• 58 The Cherry Orchard
• I merely meant to offer a little fellow feeling, and all I get in return is disdain. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve it.
• You don’t do enough to deserve berating, all you do is wander about aimlessly from place to place failing to look busy. Why do we keep a clerk? You’re not worth what it costs to feed you, and God knows you eat enough.
• Yepikhodov
• Yepikhodov
• Out, and take the stench of disappointment with you. I don’t want to see or smell you again, you’re a disgrace.
• This is unconscionable – I shall be speaking to the mistress . . . Oh, you’re coming back, are you? Firs Well, come on then, you’ve broken every last billiard cue, see if you can break this as well, come on –
• First you play billiards and break a cue, then you’re mooching around in the drawing room as if you were a guest, now you’re shouting your mouth off in here!
• Varya
• Varya
• I merely meant to offer a little fellow feeling, and all I get in return is disdain. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve it.
• Varya
• 58 The Cherry Orchard
• 58 The Cherry Orchard
• 58 The Cherry Orchard
• 58 The Cherry Orchard
• Why are you still here, Yepikhodov?
• Act Three 59
• Act Three 59
• comes in.
• Ranyevskaya
• Act Three 59
• Act Three 59
• A sight for sore eyes and sore heads! You’ve been at the brandy, haven’t you? Well, so have we – “ddling while Rome burns . . .
• Owwww!
• Ooof. Sorry, my head is spinning . . .
• comes in, and hits him on the head.
• Only my dignity. I’ll have a sizeable bump I should think.
• Ranyevskaya
• She moves away then turns back.
• Act Three 59
• Oh God!
• Lopakhin
• It’s literally nothing.
• She swings the stick just as comes in, and hits him on the head.
• Lopakhin
• She swings the stick just as
• Act Three 59
• Pishchik
• She swings the stick just as
• I didn’t hurt you, did I?
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin
• Pishchik
• Ranyevskaya
• I didn’t hurt you, did I?
• Gaev arrived with me, he’s coming in . . .
• Act Three 59
• No, nice to see you too. Thank you for the um . . . welcome.
• Oh God!
• Lopakhin
• She moves away then turns back.
• greets
• A sight for sore eyes and sore heads! You’ve been at the brandy, haven’t you? Well, so have we – “ddling while Rome burns . . . comes in. Here you are Lopakhin. What took so long? Where’s Leonid? Gaev arrived with me, he’s coming in . . .
• comes in, and hits him on the head.
• Varya
• She swings the stick just as
• No, nice to see you too. Thank you for the um . . . welcome.
• She swings the stick just as
• Act Three 59
• Act Three 59
• Act Three 59
• Act Three 59
• Lopakhin
• 60 The Cherry Orchard
• 60 The Cherry Orchard
• Lopakhin
• I did.
• 60 The Cherry Orchard
• 60 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• to
• So we get to the auction, Deriganov’s there already. Gaev’s there with his “fteen thousand but Deriganov gets straight in and bids thirty more than the arrears. I’m thinking, ‘Ah, I see what you’re doing’, so I take him on and bid forty. He says forty-“ve, I go up to “fty-“ve – he’s going up in “ves, see, so I go up in tens – and on it goes until I bid ninety thousand roubles over and above the debt, Deriganov taps out and I win the estate. The cherry orchard is mine!
• Gaev
• Gaev
• Was the cherry orchard sold?
• No, I’m exhausted. Help me get changed, Firs.
• 60 The Cherry Orchard
• ) Here we are: some anchovies, some pickled herring . . . I haven’t eaten anything, it’s been such a day . . .
• The sound of a game is heard from the billiard room.
• He changes his mind.
• Ranyevskaya Gaev
• is tempted to go in there.
• Ranyevskaya
• 60 The Cherry Orchard
• What happened at the auction? Tell us, man!
• Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya
• (
• The sound of a game is heard from the billiard room.
• goes out to his room.
• Was the cherry orchard sold?
• Ranyevskaya
• Lopakhin
• 60 The Cherry Orchard
• Gaev
• ) Here we are: some anchovies, some pickled herring . . . I haven’t eaten anything, it’s been such a day . . .
• is tempted to go in there.
• No, I’m exhausted. Help me get changed, Firs.
• Firs
• Ranyevskaya Lopakhin Ranyevskaya Lopakhin
• Gaev
• Well now, what about a game . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• 60 The Cherry Orchard
• 60 The Cherry Orchard
• 60 The Cherry Orchard
• 60 The Cherry Orchard
• Lyonya, what is it? Lyonya? Please, say quickly . . .
• Act Three 61
• Act Three 61
• Act Three 61
• Act Three 61
• Act Three 61
• Hey, musicians – play something! There should be music! Come see Yermolai Lopakhin take an axe to the cherry orchard, watch the trees topple like dominoes. And dachas grow in their place, and a new life for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
• No, don’t laugh – if my father and grandfather could rise from the grave and see me now – their little Yermolai, poor, beaten, semi-literate Yermolai, running around in the winter with no shoes on his feet, and now this same Yermolai has bought a whole estate with his own money! This Yermolai is the owner of the estate where my father and my grandfather weren’t even allowed through the door into the kitchen. No, I must be dreaming.
• Lopakhin
• Drinks are through here, let’s leave her.
• Act Three 61
• He turns to
• Ranyevskaya
• Pishchik
• Varya No, don’t laugh – if my father and grandfather could rise from the grave and see me now – their little Yermolai, poor, beaten, semi-literate Yermolai, running around in the winter with no shoes on his feet, and now this same Yermolai has bought a whole estate with his own money! This Yermolai is the owner of the estate where my father and my grandfather weren’t even allowed through the door into the kitchen. No, I must be dreaming.
• loves
• Varya
• Act Three 61
• Varya
• Leave her alone for a moment, come on . . .
• But no, look – Varya threw down the keys to show that she’s no longer the housekeeper here. Well, there we are – what a thing, eh?
• Ranyevskaya
• into the other room.
• Leave her alone for a moment, come on . . .
• Act Three 61
• –
• He turns to
• loves
• Drinks are through here, let’s leave her.
• Lopakhin
• No, don’t laugh – if my father and grandfather could rise from the grave and see me now – their little Yermolai, poor, beaten, semi-literate Yermolai, running around in the winter with no shoes on his feet, and now this same Yermolai has bought a whole estate with his own money! This Yermolai is the owner of the estate where my father and my grandfather weren’t even allowed through the door into the kitchen. No, I must be dreaming.
• Well, now I feel wretched. Now I feel like a heel. Where are the drinks?
• Varya
• –
• Varya
• Act Three 61
• Act Three 61
• Act Three 61
• Act Three 61
• takes the keys from her belt and throws them onto the floor then goes out.
• 62 The Cherry Orchard
• 62 The Cherry Orchard
• 62 The Cherry Orchard
• 62 The Cherry Orchard
• 62 The Cherry Orchard
• .
• There is no one left in the room except
• Blackout.
• 62 The Cherry Orchard
• and
• Tro“mov
• Mama? Oh, Mama. Dear kind good beautiful Mama I love you so so much. I know it hurts – the cherry orchard is sold, but Mama it was already gone and that’s the truth of it. You have lots of life still ahead of you, lots. And your good, kind soul – nobody can take that from you. Come with me, we’ll go away from here, darling, let’s go. We’ll sow seeds and water them with our tears and a new orchard will grow, bigger and more beautiful and even more ours because we planted it. And you’ll look at it and feel so proud and so profoundly happy in your soul, a homecoming like you’ve never felt and you’ll smile again, Mama. Let’s do it, let’s go darling. Let’s go . . .
• He bumps into a small table and almost knocks a candelabra off it. There is no one left in the room except
• Tro“mov
• He bumps into a small table and almost knocks a candelabra off it.
• 62 The Cherry Orchard
• He bumps into a small table and almost knocks a candelabra off it.
• Ranyevskaya
• Tro“mov
• 62 The Cherry Orchard
• stays in the entrance.
• and
• Tro“mov
• Blackout.
• There is no one left in the room except
• Anya
• He bumps into a small table and almost knocks a candelabra off it.
• stays in the entrance.
• He bumps into a small table and almost knocks a candelabra off it.
• 62 The Cherry Orchard
• 62 The Cherry Orchard
• 62 The Cherry Orchard
• 62 The Cherry Orchard
• Ooops! Not to worry, I can pay for it, I can pay for everything!
• Act Four
• Act Four
• Right. Should have asked before I opened it.
• Act Four
• Act Four
• calls after them:
• stands and waits with
• There are neither curtains at the windows, nor pictures. A few pieces of furniture are stacked up in one corner, ready for sale. Suitcases and travelling cases are piled up.
• Ranyevskaya
• It’s not very much, I didn’t think to bring some from town, and then I could only get one bottle at the station, but you’re welcome, please. A little toast?
• come in.
• Act Four
• who is holding a tray with glasses, “lled with champagne.
• The murmur of voices, off – some peasants have come to say farewell.
• Gaev
• The nursery as in Act One There are neither curtains at the windows, nor pictures. A few pieces of furniture are stacked up in one corner, ready for sale. Suitcases and travelling cases are piled up.
• The bare-faced cheek of it! Pretend to be simple but they’re wily as anything . . .
• The nursery as in Act One
• Act Four
• Lopakhin
• The nursery as in Act One
• Gaev
• Lopakhin
• The murmur of voices, off – some peasants have come to say farewell.
• I can’t help it. I’m soft-hearted . . .
• It’s not very much, I didn’t think to bring some from town, and then I could only get one bottle at the station, but you’re welcome, please. A little toast?
• Gaev
• Act Four
• Ranyevskaya
• who is holding a tray with glasses, “lled with champagne.
• The bare-faced cheek of it! Pretend to be simple but they’re wily as anything . . .
• come in.
• Lopakhin
• calls after them: Right. Should have asked before I opened it. Yasha
• There are neither curtains at the windows, nor pictures. A few pieces of furniture are stacked up in one corner, ready for sale. Suitcases and travelling cases are piled up.
• and
• The nursery as in Act One
• Ranyevskaya
• The nursery as in Act One
• Act Four
• Act Four
• Act Four
• Act Four
• .
• 64 The Cherry Orchard
• 64 The Cherry Orchard
• Tro“mov
• 64 The Cherry Orchard
• 64 The Cherry Orchard
• Lopakhin
• Yasha
• Lopakhin
• Tro“mov
• I’m off to Kharkov. I’ll be on the same train with you. I’m going to spend the whole winter in Kharkov. I’ve done nothing but loaf around aimlessly with you lot this summer, it’s not good for me. I can’t manage without working, I don’t know what to do with my hands.
• October out there, but look how sunny and calm it is. Great building weather. God himself is willing me to get on and build the dachas . . .
• 64 The Cherry Orchard
• Lopakhin
• Hellishly cold in here . . .
• Lopakhin
• He drinks. Lopakhin
• Why the wahoo?
• He drinks.
• 64 The Cherry Orchard
• Anya! I can’t “nd my wellies, any idea?
• He drinks.
• He looks out to the others.
• Eight roubles a bottle – yes it is.
• Hellishly cold in here . . .
• comes in.
• I’m off to Kharkov. I’ll be on the same train with you. I’m going to spend the whole winter in Kharkov. I’ve done nothing but loaf around aimlessly with you lot this summer, it’s not good for me. I can’t manage without working, I don’t know what to do with my hands.
• He looks out to the others.
• 64 The Cherry Orchard
• Yasha
• Lopakhin
• Why the wahoo?
• October out there, but look how sunny and calm it is. Great building weather. God himself is willing me to get on and build the dachas . . .
• Tro“mov
• Lopakhin Tro“mov
• Lopakhin
• I’m so happy! The relief.
• He drinks.
• Yasha
• He drinks.
• 64 The Cherry Orchard
• 64 The Cherry Orchard
• 64 The Cherry Orchard
• 64 The Cherry Orchard
• This isn’t real champagne.
• Act Four 65
• Act Four 65
• I have. Thank you anyway. I got some for a translation. A bit. It’s here in my pocket. But I still haven’t found my wellies.
• Act Four 65
• Act Four 65
• But you haven’t got any.
• Yasha
• Tro“mov
• You’re an arse, Lopakhin, but I like you, it’s hard not to. You have deceptively long “ngers, like an artist’s, as if to demonstrate the sensitivity of your soul . . .
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• Act Four 65
• Tro“mov
• ’s glass for him.
• How many years is it you’ve been at university now?
• Lopakhin Tro“mov
• Yes, I’ll see them off, then hurry back to Moscow in the morning, my little slate under my arm.
• Lopakhin
• Act Four 65
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin
• Please, I’m sure you can “nd a new thing to rib me about.
• No, I don’t want to.
• ’s glass for him.
• Lopakhin
• Tro“mov
• Please, I’m sure you can “nd a new thing to rib me about.
• Act Four 65
• Lopakhin
• Tro“mov
• Yes, I’ll see them off, then hurry back to Moscow in the morning, my little slate under my arm.
• Tro“mov
• Well, goodbye, fuckface. Thank you for the advice. Let me give you some money for the journey, just in case.
• But you haven’t got any. I have. Thank you anyway. I got some for a translation. A bit. It’s here in my pocket. But I still haven’t found my wellies. throws a pair of wellies onto the stage.
• Tro“mov
• I don’t expect the professors have started their lectures, I’m sure they’ll want to wait until you arrive – their most venerable student.
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin
• Act Four 65
• Act Four 65
• Act Four 65
• Act Four 65
• Have a little glass, go on.
• 66 The Cherry Orchard
• 66 The Cherry Orchard
• 66 The Cherry Orchard
• 66 The Cherry Orchard
• 66 The Cherry Orchard
• Lopakhin
• Tro“mov
• Lopakhin
• Tro“mov
• 66 The Cherry Orchard
• When they were in bloom, my God what a picture!
• All I’m saying is I’ve made forty thousand from a few seed packets, and I would like to offer you a loan because I can afford it. You needn’t turn your nose up at it, I speak to you as plainly as my father the peasant.
• When or if?
• Varya Tro“mov
• takes out his wallet.
• Varya
• 66 The Cherry Orchard
• Varya
• Either I get there myself or I will help others see the way.
• What’s she so angry about? No no, these aren’t mine . . .
• All I’m saying is I’ve made forty thousand from a few seed packets, and I would like to offer you a loan because I can afford it. You needn’t turn your nose up at it, I speak to you as plainly as my father the peasant.
• When I work a long long day I feel tired but my thoughts are calmer, my reason to exist is quite clear to me.
• Either I get there myself or I will help others see the way.
• 66 The Cherry Orchard
• Put your money away. I wouldn’t take it if you offered me two hundred thousand as a gift. I’m a free man. These things that you people, the rich man and the pauper, both cherish so dearly have no power over me at all. And that freedom is worth more than a million acres of poppies, a billion cherry orchards. I’m as light as thistledown carried along on the wind. I can get on so much better without those things that hold you down. I am strong and proud and as tall as a poplar. Mankind is moving towards a higher truth than money, to the greatest happiness that is possible on earth, and I intend to be in the front ranks when we get there.
• When they were in bloom, my God what a picture!
• takes out his wallet.
• Tro“mov
• Tro“mov
• Lopakhin
• Varya
• Put your money away. I wouldn’t take it if you offered me two hundred thousand as a gift. I’m a free man. These things that you people, the rich man and the pauper, both cherish so dearly have no power over me at all. And that freedom is worth more than a million acres of poppies, a billion cherry orchards. I’m as light as thistledown carried along on the wind. I can get on so much better without those things that hold you down. I am strong and proud and as tall as a poplar. Mankind is moving towards a higher truth than money, to the greatest happiness that is possible on earth, and I intend to be in the front ranks when we get there.
• Varya
• 66 The Cherry Orchard
• 66 The Cherry Orchard
• 66 The Cherry Orchard
• 66 The Cherry Orchard
• Here you are, take the stinking things . . .
• Act Four 67
• Act Four 67
• Yepikhodov
• Act Four 67
• Act Four 67
• Yasha
• Anya
• We scoff and feel superior to each other but the wider universe takes little notice of either of us.
• Yasha
• I told Yegor this morning, don’t you believe me? I told him.
• .
• Act Four 67
• Anya
• Mama says please can you wait until she’s left before you start cutting down the cherry orchard?
• Tro“mov
• And how many people in Russia have simply no idea what they’re living for! We scoff and feel superior to each other but the wider universe takes little notice of either of us.
• Lopakhin
• And how many people in Russia have simply no idea what they’re living for!
• Act Four 67
• Yepikhodov, please go and ask if Firs has been taken off to the hospital.
• And how many people in Russia have simply no idea what they’re living for!
• Anya
• They say Gaev has taken a job at the bank, six thousand a year. He’ll never stick to it, he’s too lazy . . .
• Mama says please can you wait until she’s left before you start cutting down the cherry orchard?
• I told them to this morning. They must have packed him off by now.
• I told Yegor this morning, don’t you believe me? I told him.
• Anya
• He goes out.
• Act Four 67
• No yes, I’ll see to it.
• Anya
• Lopakhin
• .
• Yepikhodov
• Yasha Yepikhodov He has put a suitcase down on a hatbox and squashed it. He goes out.
• We scoff and feel superior to each other but the wider universe takes little notice of either of us.
• He goes out after
• And how many people in Russia have simply no idea what they’re living for!
• No yes, I’ll see to it.
• And how many people in Russia have simply no idea what they’re living for!
• Act Four 67
• Act Four 67
• Act Four 67
• Act Four 67
• Go well, old chap. Moscow “rst, then the world!
• 68 The Cherry Orchard
• 68 The Cherry Orchard
• You might look at me one last time, Yasha. I can’t believe you’re going away and leaving me. I can’t bear it.
• These are not my people. Nothing to be done about it, it simply turns out I’m dangerously allergic to ignorance. (
• and
• 68 The Cherry Orchard
• 68 The Cherry Orchard
• are now alone.
• Varya
• Dunyasha
• Varya
• Where’s Yasha? His mother’s here, she wants to say goodbye to him.
• Dunyasha
• Varya
• 68 The Cherry Orchard
• Anya
• Yes.
• She goes out to
• Yasha Varya
• Oh for God’s –
• Yasha
• 68 The Cherry Orchard
• Yasha
• Yasha
• .
• calls at the doorway.
• Yes.
• Yasha
• Dunyasha
• .
• ! I can’t live here, it literally pains me, this place bruises my soul with its banality.
• 68 The Cherry Orchard
• Anya
• Anya
• Oh for God’s –
• Varya
• These people! I’m out of patience, I really am.
• are now alone. You might look at me one last time, Yasha. I can’t believe you’re going away and leaving me. I can’t bear it. There’s nothing to cry about. By tomorrow we’ll be on the express train and off we’ll puff, you won’t see us for dust. In six days I’ll be in Paris again, where I belong. I can’t tell you the relief. ! I can’t live here, it literally pains me, this place bruises my soul with its banality.
• Varya
• We’ll have to send it on after them.
• Yasha
• Anya
• Yasha
• 68 The Cherry Orchard
• 68 The Cherry Orchard
• 68 The Cherry Orchard
• 68 The Cherry Orchard
• The state of that man. Captain Calamity!
• Act Four 69
• Act Four 69
• Act Four 69
• Act Four 69
• Act Four 69
• Can anyone smell herring?
• .
• My Anya: we’ll see each other again soon – don’t worry. I’ll be in Paris, living on the money your great-aunt in Yaroslavl sent for us to buy the estate – God bless her – but we all know it won’t last me long the way I spend it.
• we might say, and I don’t mean the little French cake, no indeed. Bounced the yellow off the corner, whacked into the red – an open goal if ever I saw one – and you, Lyuba, you look a good deal better now it’s all certain.
• Act Four 69
• We’ll get in the carriage in ten minutes, there’s time.
• She looks around.
• “nancier
• He sees .
• Very, Mama. It’s a new life!
• He sees
• Act Four 69
• He sees
• Ranyevskaya
• Gaev
• She looks around.
• Anya
• Ranyevskaya
• Act Four 69
• Gaev
• We’ll get in the carriage in ten minutes, there’s time.
• Very, Mama. It’s a new life!
• we might say, and I don’t mean the little French cake, no indeed. Bounced the yellow off the corner, whacked into the red – an open goal if ever I saw one – and you, Lyuba, you look a good deal better now it’s all certain.
• But you will come back, Mama, won’t you? I’m going to work on myself, I’m going to sit the high school exam and then I’ll be able to work and I can support you. We can read books together, learn all sorts of things, won’t that be good? A whole new world opening up in front of us . . .
• .
• Yes, it’s all alright now, isn’t it? We were all so strung out over whether the orchard would be sold, we suffered and sighed, but then once it was settled once and for all, it was as if the weight lifted off us and we could breathe again – smile even. I’m a bank employee now, I’m a
• He sees
• Gaev
• He sees
• Act Four 69
• Act Four 69
• Act Four 69
• Act Four 69
• Yasha
• 70 The Cherry Orchard
• 70 The Cherry Orchard
• Pishchik
• Oof, get my breath back, hang on . . . I’m done in, I’ve been all over town. Is there any water? Parched!
• 70 The Cherry Orchard
• 70 The Cherry Orchard
• Sharlotta
• comes in.
• Pishchik
• I will, my treasure, yes.
• I need you to “nd me a place to go. I can’t stay here like this.
• I’ve nowhere to live in town, no one to live with. I’ll have to leave. Ah well, I never had a home anyway . . .
• Go to sleep, go to sleep, you little sod . . .
• 70 The Cherry Orchard
• begins to softly hum a tune.
• Gaev
• Wah! Wah!
• Promise you’ll come back, yes? I will, my treasure, yes.
• Sharlotta
• Promise you’ll come back, yes?
• 70 The Cherry Orchard
• Varya’s going. Suddenly we’re quite redundant.
• Promise you’ll come back, yes?
• Wah! Wah! No, I give up!
• Lopakhin
• Gaev
• Lopakhin
• I’ve nowhere to live in town, no one to live with. I’ll have to leave. Ah well, I never had a home anyway . . .
• Wah! Wah! No, I give up!
• Pishchik
• 70 The Cherry Orchard
• Go to sleep, go to sleep, you little bastard . . .
• begins to softly hum a tune.
• Sharlotta
• Go to sleep, go to sleep, you little sod . . .
• We’ll “nd you something, Sharlotta, don’t worry.
• Sharlotta Pishchik Lopakhin Pishchik
• I will, my treasure, yes.
• She ventriloquises the baby’s cry, then sings again:
• Promise you’ll come back, yes?
• Go to sleep, go to sleep, you little bastard . . .
• Promise you’ll come back, yes?
• 70 The Cherry Orchard
• 70 The Cherry Orchard
• 70 The Cherry Orchard
• 70 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• Act Four 71
• Act Four 71
• Abroad? What on earth for? Oh I see, yes – you’re all packed up . . . Oh dear . . . Well, can’t be helped, nothing
• Act Four 71
• Act Four 71
• We’re off to town any moment, then I’m going abroad tomorrow.
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin – I was on my way to see you after this – here you go . . .
• More water . . . Thank you.
• Pishchik
• Pishchik
• Act Four 71
• Pishchik
• Four hundred roubles now – so that leaves eight hundred and forty I owe you . . .
• and hands her some money.
• Pishchik Lopakhin – I was on my way to see you after this – here you go . . .
• Hang on a minute, I’m boiling . . . The most rum thing in the world: some English chaps came to see me, they’d found some kind of white clay on my land – God knows what it is but they seemed excited –
• Pishchik
• Act Four 71
• Ranyevskaya
• Pishchik
• Here you go, dear lady – four hundred for you too, you exquisite creature. I’ll give you the rest later.
• He hands
• Four hundred roubles now – so that leaves eight hundred and forty I owe you . . .
• Lopakhin
• Pishchik
• Here you go, dear lady – four hundred for you too, you exquisite creature. I’ll give you the rest later.
• Act Four 71
• He goes to
• Pishchik
• Hang on a minute, I’m boiling . . . The most rum thing in the world: some English chaps came to see me, they’d found some kind of white clay on my land – God knows what it is but they seemed excited –
• Pishchik
• Who are these Englishmen?
• We’re off to town any moment, then I’m going abroad tomorrow. Abroad? What on earth for? Oh I see, yes – you’re all packed up . . . Oh dear . . . Well, can’t be helped, nothing
• Lopakhin – I was on my way to see you after this – here you go . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• Pishchik
• He goes to
• Pishchik
• Act Four 71
• Act Four 71
• Act Four 71
• Act Four 71
• Thank you, I was dry as a nun’s knickers – what a time since I’ve seen you, eh?
• 72 The Cherry Orchard
• 72 The Cherry Orchard
• 72 The Cherry Orchard
• 72 The Cherry Orchard
• 72 The Cherry Orchard
• Should word one day reach you that I’ve fallen off the end of life’s pier, as it were, please remember me kindly, this silly old nag who thought of you with the greatest affection and say ‘There was once a man, and that man was Simeonov- Pishchik, and he was . . .’ – well, whatever you thought of him – ‘and may he rest in heaven and not the other place’. Extraordinary weather we’ve been having – what a thing, eh? What a thing . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• out.
• Anya
• 72 The Cherry Orchard
• Dashenka said to send her regards!
• He goes out.
• Yermolai Alekseich, you know I hoped you would take her and be happy, and for a while it really did look like you would.
• to be done . . . Very clever chaps you know, these English . . . Nothing to be done . . . All good things, as they say . . . Ranyevskaya
• Mama, he’s already been taken to the hospital, they’ll take good care of him there. Yasha sent him off this morning.
• to be done . . . Very clever chaps you know, these English . . . Nothing to be done . . . All good things, as they say . . .
• 72 The Cherry Orchard
• to be done . . . Very clever chaps you know, these English . . . Nothing to be done . . . All good things, as they say . . .
• takes
• ’s hand.
• He goes out.
• She loves you, I know it. And you seem to have some feeling for her. You’d get on well. Recently I can’t help thinking you make a point of avoiding each other. I don’t understand it!
• takes
• 72 The Cherry Orchard
• Ranyevskaya
• Dashenka said to send her regards!
• Mama, he’s already been taken to the hospital, they’ll take good care of him there. Yasha sent him off this morning.
• Anya
• Ranyevskaya
• My second concern, then, is our Varya. She’s been used to rising early and working all day – with nothing to do I’m afraid she’ll be like a “sh out of water. She won’t thrive. She’s already thin and pale, and can’t stop crying, poor thing.
• to be done . . . Very clever chaps you know, these English . . . Nothing to be done . . . All good things, as they say . . .
• Ranyevskaya
• to be done . . . Very clever chaps you know, these English . . . Nothing to be done . . . All good things, as they say . . .
• 72 The Cherry Orchard
• 72 The Cherry Orchard
• 72 The Cherry Orchard
• 72 The Cherry Orchard
• He kisses
• Act Four 73
• Act Four 73
• Lopakhin
• I mean –
• Act Four 73
• Act Four 73
• Varya
• Wonderful! It’ll only take a minute, I’m sure. I’ll call her.
• Lopakhin
• But you’re right – no time like the present – I’m ready now, let’s do it, let’s clear things up once and for all.
• Varya
• What?
• .
• Act Four 73
• Just so happens there’s some champagne.
• He looks at the glasses but they’re all empty.
• Yasha
• Lopakhin But you’re right – no time like the present – I’m ready now, let’s do it, let’s clear things up once and for all.
• She goes to the door and calls:
• Lopakhin
• Act Four 73
• Are you –
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin
• Ranyevskaya
• He looks at the glasses but they’re all empty.
• comes in. She looks at him.
• What?
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin
• Act Four 73
• Varya come in here, would you? Leave all that. Come in . . .
• Just so happens there’s some champagne.
• She goes to the door and calls:
• .
• Varya
• Varya Lopakhin Varya Lopakhin
• But you’re right – no time like the present – I’m ready now, let’s do it, let’s clear things up once and for all.
• She goes out with
• Lopakhin
• Varya come in here, would you? Leave all that. Come in . . .
• Lopakhin
• Act Four 73
• Act Four 73
• Act Four 73
• Act Four 73
• No, well, neither do I. It’s all very strange somehow.
• 74 The Cherry Orchard
• 74 The Cherry Orchard
• That’s a terrible idea.
• Also our thermometer’s broken.
• 74 The Cherry Orchard
• 74 The Cherry Orchard
• I’m off to Kharkov on the same train as your mother. Lots of business. But I’m leaving Yepikhodov in charge. I’ve taken him on.
• Varya
• He goes out quickly.
• Lopakhin
• No.
• Varya
• Lopakhin
• 74 The Cherry Orchard
• A long moment.
• Lopakhin
• Yes.
• Varya Lopakhin
• Lopakhin
• Varya
• 74 The Cherry Orchard
• Lopakhin
• Varya
• I suppose there’s nothing to stay for here.
• Me?
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin
• Varya
• I suppose there’s nothing to stay for here.
• I haven’t had time to look.
• 74 The Cherry Orchard
• That’s in Yashnevo, yes? Forty-“ve miles or so.
• A long moment.
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin
• Life in this house being over . . .
• I’m off to Kharkov on the same train as your mother. Lots of business. But I’m leaving Yepikhodov in charge. I’ve taken him on. That’s a terrible idea. Well, there we are. Do you remember this time last year it was already snowing? Calm as anything now, and sunny. Bit cold, but – three degrees of frost. I haven’t had time to look.
• Lopakhin
• Varya
• Varya
• That’s in Yashnevo, yes? Forty-“ve miles or so.
• Varya
• 74 The Cherry Orchard
• 74 The Cherry Orchard
• 74 The Cherry Orchard
• 74 The Cherry Orchard
• Mama asked me to come in, I thought you wanted to –
• Act Four 75
• Act Four 75
• Anya
• Well, alright . . . Leave the occasion unmarked . . .
• I remember when I was six years old, Trinity Sunday, sitting at this window watching father walking to church . . .
• Act Four 75
• Act Four 75
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya
• Lopakhin
• Varya
• Yepikhodov
• Dear friends, now we’re all together, can I stay silent as we prepare to leave this house forever, can I restrain myself from expressing the feelings that are overtaking me as we stand here . . .
• ,
• Act Four 75
• Varya
• Yes, time to go. I’ll get to the Ragulins today as long as you don’t miss your train . . .
• Gaev
• Ranyevskaya Varya
• ) Anya, get your things on.
• Ranyevskaya
• Act Four 75
• Off we go!
• Ranyevskaya
• Sharlotta
• shakes her head.
• Yes, time to go. I’ll get to the Ragulins today as long as you don’t miss your train . . .
• .
• Dear friends, now we’re all together, can I stay silent as we prepare to leave this house forever, can I restrain myself from expressing the feelings that are overtaking me as we stand here . . .
• Sharlotta
• Gaev
• Act Four 75
• Anya
• Varya
• ) Anya, get your things on.
• ,
• Ranyevskaya
• Gaev Anya Varya Gaev
• Varya
• enters, then
• Ranyevskaya
• Anya
• Ranyevskaya
• Act Four 75
• Act Four 75
• Act Four 75
• Act Four 75
• Well?
• 76 The Cherry Orchard
• 76 The Cherry Orchard
• Gaev
• Everyone ready? Alright, off we go.
• go out, with her dog.
• 76 The Cherry Orchard
• 76 The Cherry Orchard
• Tro“mov
• Lopakhin
• Hello, new life! Good morning!
• Yepikhodov
• Tro“mov
• Let’s get going, everyone!
• feigns fear.
• 76 The Cherry Orchard
• Yepikhodov
• Sorry, had some water, swallowed something . . .
• Lopakhin
• Lopakhin Yepikhodov
• There won’t be a soul in this house ever again . . .
• Lopakhin
• 76 The Cherry Orchard
• pulls on his wellies.
• Lopakhin
• Varya
• Absolutely.
• Sorry, had some water, swallowed something . . .
• Into the carriages, ladies and gentlemen – it’s time. The train will be in soon.
• Let’s get going, everyone!
• Varya
• Lopakhin
• 76 The Cherry Orchard
• Varya
• Yepikhodov
• There won’t be a soul in this house ever again . . .
• feigns fear.
• Varya
• Tro“mov Gaev Ranyevskaya Lopakhin
• Yepikhodov
• picks up an umbrella as if to hit someone with it.
• Lopakhin
• Varya
• Lopakhin
• 76 The Cherry Orchard
• 76 The Cherry Orchard
• 76 The Cherry Orchard
• 76 The Cherry Orchard
• Seems like everything, yes. You’ll make sure everything’s in order, won’t you, Yepikhodov?
• Act Four 77
• Act Four 77
• off
• Gaev
• Act Four 77
• Act Four 77
• Tro“mov
• and
• Firs
• He goes out.
• Gaev
• (
• ) Mama, let’s go!
• Act Four 77
• are left alone.
• Gaev
• calling, off
• Lopakhin He goes out.
• What have we done?
• Lopakhin
• Act Four 77
• ) Come on, Mama!
• Lopakhin
• Ranyevskaya
• Ranyevskaya
• Gaev
• Poor Mama . . .
• (
• Ranyevskaya
• She and
• Act Four 77
• Anya
• are left alone.
• What have we done?
• ) Mama, let’s go!
• Anya
• Tro“mov off Ranyevskaya She and
• He goes out.
• (
• Lopakhin
• Anya
• Lopakhin
• Act Four 77
• Act Four 77
• Act Four 77
• Act Four 77
• Well that’s it then for me, until the spring. Goodbye.
• 78 The Cherry Orchard
• 78 The Cherry Orchard
• 78 The Cherry Orchard
• 78 The Cherry Orchard
• 78 The Cherry Orchard
• The End.
• A distant sound, as though from the sky – the sound of a breaking string, dying away, sad. Silence descends, and the only sound, far away in the orchard, is the thudding of an axe against a tree.
• 78 The Cherry Orchard
• No, I’ve been happy. Very happy. An honest life, service. A good life. A distant sound, as though from the sky – the sound of a breaking string, dying away, sad. Silence descends, and the only sound, far away in the orchard, is the thudding of an axe against a tree.
• No, I’ve been happy. Very happy. An honest life, service. A good life.
• 78 The Cherry Orchard
• No, I’ve been happy. Very happy. An honest life, service. A good life.
• Blackout.
• 78 The Cherry Orchard
• A distant sound, as though from the sky – the sound of a breaking string, dying away, sad. Silence descends, and the only sound, far away in the orchard, is the thudding of an axe against a tree.
• No, I’ve been happy. Very happy. An honest life, service. A good life.
• No, I’ve been happy. Very happy. An honest life, service. A good life.
• 78 The Cherry Orchard
• 78 The Cherry Orchard
• 78 The Cherry Orchard
• 78 The Cherry Orchard
• I’ll just have a little lie down. Not as strong as I was, not much left, truth be told . . . Truth be told . . . Oh, you pickle . . .
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