This year, festival audiences can look forward to a star-studded production of Chekhov's Die Kersieboord, featuring the talents of Oscar Petersen, Tinarie van Wyk Loots, Carel Nel, Wilhelm van der Walt, Nandi Horak, Roxanne Blaise, Sjaka Septembir, Marvin-Lee Beukes and Bianca Flanders under the direction of the inimitable Sandra Temmingh.
Produced by Cape Town's darlings The Mechanicals, and based on the translation of Chekhov's original work by Alwyn Lee, the standard four-act play has been skilfully condensed to a 90-minute production that received glowing reviews during its run at the Intimate Theatre on Hiddingh Campus last year.
The premise of the play hinges on the return of an aristocratic Russian woman and her family to their family estate (which includes a large and well-known cherry orchard) just before it is to be auctioned to pay the mortgage. The themes of cultural futility that underpin the story of Liefie and Leonid's family and their struggle to find meaning in the midst of the breakdown of their heritage resonates deeply with the contemporary South African themes of gentrification and cultural disassociation. As such, the story remains as relevant today as when it first hit the planks in 1904.
The production runs the gamut of emotions and comments subtly on a variety of subjects, including the economic divide and the contempt it breeds; marrying for love vs. marrying for money; as well as the pros and cons of knowing your fate vs. sticking your head in the sand.
Audiences can get ready for a slick, fast-paced performance that sweeps its way across the boards, taking no prisoners and leaving a trail of delightful devastation in its wake.
Tickets are available from Computicket. Find the rest of the US Woordfees festival line-up here.
