Sam Mendes has gathered a seriously starry cast (that's what being a Hollywood superstar can do for you) for this hotly anticipated production of The Cherry Orchard, appearing in repertoire with The Winter's Tale at The Old Vic. Chekhov's sweeping play is beautifully-constructed, letting the ebb and flow, the murmurings and squabbles, past and present of the characters brush over the landscape as the seasons change around them, while the future of the family estate - and the pervading cherry orchard - hangs in the balance, only to be flicked away and ignored. Writing in 1903, he has brilliantly evoked the passing away of an aristocratic way of life. It's a wonderful ensemble piece, needing a light touch to let all the subtle wit, warmth and eccentricity bubble to the surface; perhaps not an immediate choice for an all-star cast but here we have a seasoned bunch including Simon Russell Beale, Rebecca Hall and Ethan Hawke and with Mendes - who started out directing at the Donmar Warehouse, no less - taking the reins, this is definitely one to watch.
(Image: Dakin Matthews as Pischik, Sinead Cusack as Madame Ranevskaya and Paul Jesson as Gaev, credit Joan Marcus)
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Sam Mendes has gathered a seriously starry cast (that's what being a Hollywood superstar can do for you) for this hotly anticipated production of The Cherry Orchard, appearing in repertoire with 
