The Cherry Orchard Text v Production analysis
Well this was an interesting production. The Judy Dench production was pretty old and low budget with a lot of over acting. The Cacoyannis version was more crisp and clean.
We seem to all agree that ending is the most powerful part. The Cacoyannis version utilized music at the end and it was actually very good for a production of this type. I love to hear piano music played well and who ever was doing that was a good pianist.
The main differences I found in the production than that of reading them is the house was smaller and seemed less extravagant than what I pictured. I figured that if it was a great big orchard and they had money the dwelling would be a bit more mansion like.
I guess Russians have different ideas of what upper class with money would look like compared to the good ole USA.
Oh one other thing was that the old man Firs was REALLY old looking in the Judy Dench version, and a little more distinguished in the Cacoyannis version. I sort of pictured him as a combination of both. I really old yet proudly distinguished man that displayed honor and loyalty. Neither of them really captured that in the productions…luckily I can imagine it just fine
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The Cherry Orchard performance analysis. / Helen Williams
A Play that depicts the ever changing time not only in the history of Russia but the entire world. The transfer of ownership from the original affluent owner to once peasant Serf is an historical change that is replayed even in our time. It is very sad to note that Firs being born a Serf on the estate and having lived and served all his life now have no place to go,. He not able to adapt to the changes unlike Lopakhin who will eventually become the new owner .
The emotions exhibited towards the end the play signifies a new phase in the history of Russia. One thing that is very significant is seeing Madam Ranevsky sob in the arms of Gayev over the loss of the cherry Orchard. Firs is seen here lying motionlessly on the couch and no one seem to care about him. It is very ironic that a man who had served the entire family selflessly in his entire lifetime will have to go through this in his last days.
One would have thought that Lopakhin being Serf like Firs will take the bold step of coming to his rescue, unfortunately, this did not happen , instead he is left for dead. This is highly significant of the end an era and the beginning of another.
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The emotions exhibited towards the end the play signifies a new phase in the history of Russia. One thing that is very significant is seeing Madam Ranevsky sob in the arms of Gayev over the loss of the cherry Orchard. Firs is seen here lying motionlessly on the couch and no one seem to care about him. It is very ironic that a man who had served the entire family selflessly in his entire lifetime will have to go through this in his last days.
One would have thought that Lopakhin being Serf like Firs will take the bold step of coming to his rescue, unfortunately, this did not happen , instead he is left for dead. This is highly significant of the end an era and the beginning of another.
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Friday, July 22, 2011
Kelli Firmin The Cherry Orchard; Text vs. Production
The ending of the play to me was the most dramatic in the video which was displayed with many emotions from all the characters. Madame Ranevsky and her brother Leonid are preparing to leave the estate after it was purchased by Lophakhin. Madame and her daughters are preparing to leave along with the other guest. Lophakhin is trying to find someone to celebrate with him by having a glass of champagne. Lophakhin is overjoyed for he was a serf, his parents worked on the estate he now owns. Such a turn of fate for him.
Madame still shows emotion over losing the estate and cherry orchard. She has a break down when she hears the axes hitting the cherry trees which will be destroyed to build villas.Her daughter, Anya pleads with Lophakhin for the workers to stop til their departure and pleads he show some type of respect for her dear ma ma. He obliges to their wishes.
They all seem to express concern for dear old Fiers. Yasha, the young footman states he has made arrangements for Fiers to go to a hospital. But, this has not been done. Fiers spent his years serving this family and shows his loyalty. This family shows many signs of dysfunctional and unwise decision. That is why they were in the financial state they were in. As they all board the coaches for the train the house is locked up and left empty so they think. Poor Fiers comes along and realizes they forgot him. They strongest statement is made by him as he lies down in a chair. "Life's gone on as if I'd never lived". That to me is the tragedy of the film that he is left to die there, unintentional but he is too weak to try to find them. It was his home for so long as well.
Madame still shows emotion over losing the estate and cherry orchard. She has a break down when she hears the axes hitting the cherry trees which will be destroyed to build villas.Her daughter, Anya pleads with Lophakhin for the workers to stop til their departure and pleads he show some type of respect for her dear ma ma. He obliges to their wishes.
They all seem to express concern for dear old Fiers. Yasha, the young footman states he has made arrangements for Fiers to go to a hospital. But, this has not been done. Fiers spent his years serving this family and shows his loyalty. This family shows many signs of dysfunctional and unwise decision. That is why they were in the financial state they were in. As they all board the coaches for the train the house is locked up and left empty so they think. Poor Fiers comes along and realizes they forgot him. They strongest statement is made by him as he lies down in a chair. "Life's gone on as if I'd never lived". That to me is the tragedy of the film that he is left to die there, unintentional but he is too weak to try to find them. It was his home for so long as well.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Matthew Chenevert: The Cherry Orchard
The Cherry Orchard
Well this is the last play that we review before the semester is over…. It’s been a fun trip for learning that I can actually read and make some informed comments on them. I never thought that I would be reading one each week!
The Cherry Orchard was definitely not centered around a sex theme. Well, if you don’t count lover that the main character, Ranevskaya, has in Paris.
Looking back at it after reading is 0ne thing that caught my eye was that the play takes us through several various seasons. I think it starts in May then progresses through to August. I’m sure that the sets were produced to reflect this to the Russian people.
Other than that the focus of the playwright is like the changing of the seasons, Russia was changing also. He seemed to put in the people’s minds that off spring of a serf can indeed achieve and deserves the very thing that upper crust people of the era had. Really what happened is instead of elevating the serf class he destroyed the affluent to make them all equal in the in, sort of.
Chekov obviously has an ax to grind (or in this case a sickle) with people of power. He portrayed the orchard owners as unable to figure out how to pay the mortgage of their very own property. What?
I think Chekov would be happy with the direction the USA is headed and his plays would be writing themselves.
Oh one more thing, I think that there was a TON of symbolism in this play. Firs dieing at the end all alone and forgotten was more than obvious that the "old" way was now in the past.
Can’t wait to see the research papers!
Well this is the last play that we review before the semester is over…. It’s been a fun trip for learning that I can actually read and make some informed comments on them. I never thought that I would be reading one each week!
The Cherry Orchard was definitely not centered around a sex theme. Well, if you don’t count lover that the main character, Ranevskaya, has in Paris.
Looking back at it after reading is 0ne thing that caught my eye was that the play takes us through several various seasons. I think it starts in May then progresses through to August. I’m sure that the sets were produced to reflect this to the Russian people.
Other than that the focus of the playwright is like the changing of the seasons, Russia was changing also. He seemed to put in the people’s minds that off spring of a serf can indeed achieve and deserves the very thing that upper crust people of the era had. Really what happened is instead of elevating the serf class he destroyed the affluent to make them all equal in the in, sort of.
Chekov obviously has an ax to grind (or in this case a sickle) with people of power. He portrayed the orchard owners as unable to figure out how to pay the mortgage of their very own property. What?
I think Chekov would be happy with the direction the USA is headed and his plays would be writing themselves.
Oh one more thing, I think that there was a TON of symbolism in this play. Firs dieing at the end all alone and forgotten was more than obvious that the "old" way was now in the past.
Can’t wait to see the research papers!
The Cherry Orchard/ Helen Williams
In the Cherry Orchard , Anton Chekhov centers this play around the life of a troubled middle aged Russian Lady who let her feelings of love cloud her financial judgement. She is disconnected from the reality of her failing wealth and she is unable to control her spending habit. Ranevsky estate is in financial trouble and she faces loosing her estate forever.
The outside conflict in this play is selling of the family estate for the owed debts. Ranevsky is faced with an impending historical changes which is the end of the Cherry Garden periods with beautiful memories of their previous life. Then the potential new owner of the historical estate, the Lopakhin a Serf who lived with his family on the estate all their lives, Although born of Serf , Lopakhin managed to use the Liberation of the Serf to his full advantage and he is now a wealthy landowner and a businessman.
At the end Madame Ranevsky leaves the estate for the last time as the new owner, Lopakhin takes control of the estate he once lived as a peasant.
The outside conflict in this play is selling of the family estate for the owed debts. Ranevsky is faced with an impending historical changes which is the end of the Cherry Garden periods with beautiful memories of their previous life. Then the potential new owner of the historical estate, the Lopakhin a Serf who lived with his family on the estate all their lives, Although born of Serf , Lopakhin managed to use the Liberation of the Serf to his full advantage and he is now a wealthy landowner and a businessman.
At the end Madame Ranevsky leaves the estate for the last time as the new owner, Lopakhin takes control of the estate he once lived as a peasant.
Monday, July 18, 2011
THe Cherry Orchard- Kelli Firmin
Chekhov's play demonstrates the end of an era for a dysfunctional family. The cherry orchard has belonged to Madame Ranevsky family for a long time. She was born on the estate. She has misfortunes from failed relationships and the lost of her little boy from a drowning that it sends her to doing things that will eventually cause her to loose her beloved cherry orchard. She leaves the estate and travels to Paris where she lives in an older building. Her daughter Anya has been away many years and returns at the age of seventeen. She appears to be the caregiver to her mother rather than the mother to her daughter.When she reunites with her mother she is accompanied by her governess, Charlotta. Charlotta is very strange indeed, performing tricks for all to see.
When Madame Ranevsky decides to return to the cherry orchard she has already sold a villa to help make ends meet. She is involved with a man who claims he loves her. As she returns to the estate she is greeted by her brother, Leonid, who is not exactly a ball of fire. He enjoys playing billiards and being waited on by an elderly footman. The entire family is in denial that they will lose the estate and cherry orchids.Varya, the adopted daughter tries to keep the estate running. She is humble and longs for the love of Lopakhin. Lopakhin tries to be- friend the family and offer sound financial advice to sell the estate to be turned into villas and get out of debt. They ignore his plea and the estate goes up for auction and is sold and bought by Lopakhin. The family ignores the situation and Madame Ranevsky continues to act as if she has money to spend freely. She over tips, give gold pieces, and host grand parties while she is losing her homestead. I think the best way to sum up this play is denial and not living within your means.I would have liked to seen Varya marry well and keep the estate. Madame had an opportunity to sell but chose to ignore the advice of others. I think the saddest part was Fiers, the loyal elderly footman was forgotten at the estate when all left. Yasha the young footman claimed to have made arrangements for him but did not. Fiers statement of "Life's gone on as if I'd never lived" makes a powerful ending. Rather sad.
When Madame Ranevsky decides to return to the cherry orchard she has already sold a villa to help make ends meet. She is involved with a man who claims he loves her. As she returns to the estate she is greeted by her brother, Leonid, who is not exactly a ball of fire. He enjoys playing billiards and being waited on by an elderly footman. The entire family is in denial that they will lose the estate and cherry orchids.Varya, the adopted daughter tries to keep the estate running. She is humble and longs for the love of Lopakhin. Lopakhin tries to be- friend the family and offer sound financial advice to sell the estate to be turned into villas and get out of debt. They ignore his plea and the estate goes up for auction and is sold and bought by Lopakhin. The family ignores the situation and Madame Ranevsky continues to act as if she has money to spend freely. She over tips, give gold pieces, and host grand parties while she is losing her homestead. I think the best way to sum up this play is denial and not living within your means.I would have liked to seen Varya marry well and keep the estate. Madame had an opportunity to sell but chose to ignore the advice of others. I think the saddest part was Fiers, the loyal elderly footman was forgotten at the estate when all left. Yasha the young footman claimed to have made arrangements for him but did not. Fiers statement of "Life's gone on as if I'd never lived" makes a powerful ending. Rather sad.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
A doll house performance analysis/ Helen Williams
This is an interesting play to watch, the scenes and costumes are professionally made. Each character played their assigned role very well. The embedded message and language are very clear and fluent The setting of this play was during the Christmas/ New Year season, with Christmas trees adorning Nora's house, this gives a true meaning to being "home for Christmas".
After watching this play , I came to the conclusion that Nora is not a victim after all, She seems completely happy at the beginning of the play. She appears contented with what Torvald provided for her and her children. She speaks with so much excitement and even teases her husband affectionately. She typically plays the role of a homemaker and takes so much pleasure in being in the company of her children and friends as she enjoys her "doll like" existence.
With time , Nora transformed herself from "a silly girl" character her husband labelled her to a woman standing for what she believes in. Torvald's reaction to her blackmail help propelled a 360 degree turn for a woman I consider smart and calculative.
After watching this play , I came to the conclusion that Nora is not a victim after all, She seems completely happy at the beginning of the play. She appears contented with what Torvald provided for her and her children. She speaks with so much excitement and even teases her husband affectionately. She typically plays the role of a homemaker and takes so much pleasure in being in the company of her children and friends as she enjoys her "doll like" existence.
With time , Nora transformed herself from "a silly girl" character her husband labelled her to a woman standing for what she believes in. Torvald's reaction to her blackmail help propelled a 360 degree turn for a woman I consider smart and calculative.
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