Chekhov in Hell
By Dan Rebellato (UK) / Directed by Eleanor Bishop (NZ)
If Chekhov were alive today . . .
Anton Chekhov, playwright, author and pitiless observer of Russian society, awakes from a hundred-year coma and finds
himself in twenty-first century London.
Jason Whyte as Chekhov: credit Stephan A’Court
Bewildered and fascinated he takes a whirlwind tour of Britain from reality TV, smartphones, feng shui and sex
trafficking to celebrity chefs, MTV Cribs, pole dancing and Twitter.
“I've read many new plays reflecting on the modern world, but nothing captured the humour and the tragedy like Chekhov in
Hell, which seems completely appropriate since since Chekhov was the master of the tragi-comedy.” Says Director Eleanor Bishop. “Chekhov in Hell is by turns hilarious, fun and moving. I was drawn to the way it weaved a historical theatrical figure and all those
associations into a biting satire of our world today.“
Featuring stunning design from Alice Hill (Tinderbox), daring projection (Andrew Simpson) and a fully-fledged original
dance pop soundtrack by Chapman Tripp nominee Gareth Hobbs, Chekhov in Hell is a fast paced, funny, seriously fun night
out!
Come view our world through the eyes of a literary master – the good, the bad and the ugly.
CAST: Victoria Abbott, Nick Dunbar, Simon Leary, Heather O’Carroll, and Jason Whyte as Chekhov.
"A freewheeling yet pointed spin on the many ills, rampant absurdity and eroded values of modern life... Fast, funny,
sometimes achingly hip" - The Times
12 May – 9 June
Tues-Sat 7.30pm, Sun 4.30pm
Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St
Bookings: 04 801 7992 www.circa.co.nz
Adults $46 / Student, Senior Citizen and Beneficiaries $38
Groups (6+) $39 (20+) $36 / Under 25s $25
Friends of Circa (to 24 May) $33
$25 Preview: Friday 11 May and Sunday 13 May
R16 – contains strong language.