Plays

This collection features five dramatic works from a renowned playwright, including The Seagull, now a major film. In an era dominated by formulaic melodramas, Chekhov revolutionized drama by exploring the everyday lives and emotions of ordinary people. Ivanov portrays a man trapped by inactivity and lost dreams, while The Seagull contrasts a young man's selfish romanticism with a woman's stoic abandonment. Uncle Vanya, Chekhov's first fully mature play, presents 'scenes from country life' that blend tragedy and comedy. In Three Sisters, the Prozorov sisters yearn to escape their monotonous provincial existence by moving to Moscow. Meanwhile, The Cherry Orchard depicts characters desperately clinging to the past as their land is sold from under them. This edition features Peter Carson's poignant translations that capture Chekhov's intricate mix of comedy, tragedy, and psychological depth. Richard Gilman's introduction provides insight into how Chekhov challenged theatrical norms and offers detailed discussions of each play. For over seventy years, Penguin has been a leading publisher of classic literature, offering authoritative texts with scholarly introductions and contemporary translations.