Since his death Chekhov has certainly ascended to the pantheon of great writers, but he would be dismayed to see that his plays are still widely thought of as forbidding chronicles of human misery.
In 1902, after watching the first production of his play The Three Sisters, he wrote a letter to a younger writer. "All I wanted," he said, "was to say honestly to people, 'Have a look at yourselves and see how bad and dreary your lives are!'"
Chekhov was reacting to reports that people were crying while watching his play, a fact he blamed on the production. He thought his work was funny, at least some of the time.
After all, few things are more comical than characters who delude themselves into believing that they lead happy, successful lives.
European Arts Company returns with a hugely entertaining collection of classic one-act farces by Anton Chekhov, including The Evils of Tobacco, The Dimwit, The Bear, Swan Song and The Proposal.
This is Chekhov as you’ve never seen him before – funny!
Originally performed in Russian vaudeville theatres, these bittersweet plays are Chekhov at his comic best - before The Seagull got stuffed, Uncle Vanya fired blanks, The Three Sisters started moaning and The Cherry Orchard was ‘car-parked’.
Checkhov Shorts shows this Friday (March 10) at Stantonbury Theatre.
Tickets are on sale priced at £14.50 and £12.50. To buy yours click here
