Platanov

Anton Chekhov was 21 when he began writing his first play, Platanov. 130 years later, ATYP has taken on the classic. Actress Geraldine Hakewill, says the adaptation is full of emotion.

“What’s most exciting is that it feels like as an audience member you’re stumbling upon very intimate moments with characters, as if you’re hearing private conversations at a party,” Hakewill says. “The way we’re staging it will enhance that feeling and I think for audiences, that’s really exciting.”

“Chekhov manages to write dialogue that forces you to mine the depths of it,” she continues. “The characters are all very flawed and complicated which means you have to explore all those things within yourself as an actor. To have the chance to play characters that are so multidimensional is very rare.”

When first written, the play was five hours long and has resulted in many different adaptations over the years. Hakewill believes Chekhov’s lasting relevance lies in his universal issues. “What I love about his plays is that they’re still products of their context, but the themes still resonate today because above all, they’re so human.” (GF)

Nov 5-22, ATYP, Pier 4/5 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $30, 9270 2400, atyp.com.au