Revisiting the lives of two Chekhov characters, Brian Friel’s poetic one act drama, Afterplay will be presented at the Old 505 Theatre as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival until 12 September 2015.
Friel is widely celebrated for his portrayal of social and political life in Ireland, his theatrical masterpiece Dancing at Lughnasa and translations of famed Russian playwright and author Anton Chekhov. Afterplay revisits the lives of two characters: Sonya, Uncle Vanya’s dutiful niece and Andrey, the downtrodden intellectual brother of The Three Sisters created by Chekhov 100 years ago.
From two different fictional backgrounds we meet them again after twenty years. They meet by chance in a late night cafe in 1920’s Moscow. The concert violinist and determined estate owner cannot escape their origins and those circumstances furnished by their creator are still determining their lives.
Part of Andrey is still an only boy, confused, motherless, reared in a remote provincial town by a domineering father and his three restless sisters. Sonya is still wrestling with a difficult estate and is still deeply and hopelessly in love with the local doctor as she was all those years ago.
Twenty years after their original plays and in their middle age they find a comfortable anticipation in their encounter. There is promise in their meeting until their stories unfold and the glow of their fantasies makes way for reality to reclaim the tragic identities of these cherished characters.
Director / Producer: Heidi Manche’ Featuring: Emma Skelton & Wayne Bassett
“Friel inhabits the characters so masterfully you are ultimately less preoccupied with the backstory than increasingly fearful for their future.” – The Guardian
Afterplay
Old 505 Theatre, 505/342 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills
Season continues to 12 September 2015 – 7.00pm
Bookings: (02) 9550 6087 or online at: www.sydneyfringe.com
Image: Emma Skelton and Wayne Bassett feature in Afterplay (supplied)