“Oh, sweet sisters, our life is not finished yet… I can imagine that in just a moment more, we’ll know why we’re living, why we’re suffering… If we only knew, if we only knew!” – Olga, Three Sisters (Anton Chekhov, 1900)
“Is this funny to you? Enjoying my pain? Do you have any idea what happens next? Well, for those of you not so well versed in 19th century Russian Drama, this is where I die… Despair despair despair…” – Con, Stupid F*ucking Bird (Aaron Posner, 2013)
There’s are many beautiful touches in this production of Three Sisters, none more so than where director, Greg Carroll, has placed the characters’ dreaming. Whether idyllic memories, whimsical thinking, tenuous hopes, or forbidden desires, each character seeks them out towards the audience but always slightly above them.
Fourth wall-facing physicality can so easily break the action on-stage, but not here. The palpable feeling of yearning drives each act of the play, enriching each character and the wonderful performances behind them.
Three Sisters follows Olga (Mia Landgren), Marsha (Joanna Halliday), and Irina (Stella Carroll) – sisters who have grown weary of their tedious provincial life. They long for the excitement of Moscow, where they were raised.
The Imperial Army arrives, bringing with them some much-wanted distractions as well as possibilities. There’s optimism for the future, but as the years pass the sisters’ dreams inexorably spoil in the face of an unsentimental and unforgiving world.
Characters questioning their plight makes for tantalising viewing, particularly at a play’s climax. It’s something Aaron Posner drew on so memorably in Stupid F*cking Bird (his reworking of Chekhov’s play, The Seagull), and it’s employed in similarly memorable way here. The three sisters stand together in riveting contrast to the play’s opening moments, voices more desperate now echoing into the dark.
Stella Carroll played youngest sister, Irina, with lovely spark and youthful naiveté, making the various turns of fate, Irina’s light dimming with every pleasantry pragmatism, all the more captivating. Joanna Halliday was brilliant in her performance as middle sister, Marsha, her passion, playfulness, and eventual despair being wonderfully portrayed throughout.
Mia Landgren was superb in her role of Olga, the eldest sister. As the eldest in a house with no parents, there are paternal aspects in your day-to-day life and how you interact with your siblings. Olga’s love for her sisters as well as the burden and sacrifice required of her were all performed terrifically by Mia.
There wasn’t a weak performance to be found among the supporting cast, such as Belle Hansen who gave her turn as Natasha a class-resenting brutality you couldn’t look away from. Chris Connelly’s played Chebutykin, the doctor, excellently – his character’s sanity crumbling in the face of repeated and unnecessary pain.
Simon Chandler infused the character of Kulygin (Marsha’s husband) with the perfect, infuriating (until when it’s needed most) amount of cheerfulness. River Steven’s had a great performance as army captain, Solyony with all the bitter cynicism, misogyny, and toxic hatred of a red-pill forum member. Another standout was Syd Brisbane who played Ferapoint in hilarious and entertaining fashion.
Show creatives Sidney Younger (Lighting), Amelia Carroll (Costumes), Julian Smith-Gard (Sound), along with whoever designed the set (not listed in the program) have knitted strong, coherent, and exciting bones for the show to build itself on.
The play may not often pass the Bechdal Test, but this production is a rich and modern portrayal of three women struggling to come to terms with their growing existential crisis, yet their love for each other is never in question.
Three Sisters
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Performance: Tuesday 11 March 2025
Season continues to 22 March 2025
Information and Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au
Images: Joanna Halliday, Stella Carroll and Mia Landgren in Three Sisters – photo by Steven Mitchell Wright | Syd Brisbane, Simon Chandler, Joanna Halliday and Gabriel Partington in Three Sisters – photo by Steven Mitchell Wright
Review: June Collins