Three Sisters
A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First
Three Sisters is a dour but compelling work by Anton Chekov
Photo by Steven Mitchell Wright
Misery abounds in Anton Chekov’s Three Sisters.
One hundred twenty-five years after he wrote it, it continues to resonate.
The three sisters referenced in the title moved from Moscow to a provincial Russian garrison town 11 years ago.
It is now the first anniversary of their father’s passing and their mother is also no longer alive.
Matriarch Olga (Mia Landgren), the eldest, is a teacher and spinster who has always wanted a life partner.
Middle sister Marsha (Joanna Halliday) is unhappily married to an older teacher, Kulygin (Simon Chandler), who won’t speak ill of her. Masha wed him at age 18, when she was fresh out of school.
Now she shows more than a passing interest in Lieutenant Colonel Vershinin (Gabriel Partington) – who commands the artillery battery in town – and he in her.
At age 42, he too is unhappily married (and has two children) and his wife regularly attempts suicide.
Then there is younger sister Irina (Stella Carroll), who is just 20 at the start of the play.
The anniversary of her father’s passing coincides with her name day, which is the day associated with one’s baptism.
As events unfold, two soldiers express their love for her, which she does not reciprocate.
One is 30-year-old army lieutenant Baron Tuzenbach (Laurence Young), who has been smitten by her for five years.
The other is staff captain Solyony (River Stevens), who can be prickly, and sees himself as Tuzenbach’s rival for her affections.
The three sisters also have a brother, Andrei (Ty McKenzie), who plays the violin and is looking to become a faculty professor in Moscow.
He makes the ill-feted decision to marry local girl Natasha (Belle Hansen), who quickly becomes dominant, overbearing and downright nasty.
He fails to live up to his sisters’ expectations and gambles away the family legacy.
Initially, the family employs a range of workers, including elderly former nurse Anfisa (Rosemary Johns), who Natasha treats shamefully.
Also in the picture is hard of hearing old man Ferapont (Syd Brisbane), who delivers books and letters to Andrei.
Then we have army doctor and family friend Chebutykin (Chris Connolly), who drinks far too much and was in love in the girls’ mother.
The fate of the 12 characters plays out over four acts in two hours plus interval, during which many of their hopes and dreams are crushed.
Played melodramatically, the cast does a fine job with the material, expressing everything from outrage and anger to disappointment and fear.
Of course, there is also longing and compliance. What we see here is a heightened reality, delivered with confidence and aplomb.
Each of the actors tackles their role well. It is a strong ensemble, with no weak link, as the action shifts between the characters that populate the piece.
Their projection is admirable. Plaudits here to the sound design by Julian Smith-Gard.
Belle is a standout as the self-serving, ultimately tyrannical Natasha. The power in some of her verbal lashings cause one to shift uncomfortably in one’s seat.
I also appreciated the authority that Gabriel Partington initially brought to bear as Vershinin, who imagines a brighter future 200 to 300 years ahead.
Upon entering the theatre, the black set with tainted windows, long wooden dining table, scattered chairs, sofa and old-style chandeliers is eye-catching.
In fact, it makes an immediate and favourable impression, setting the tone.
Literally shifting the furniture ahead of Act IV works most effectively as the work reaches its climax.
Lighting (by Sidney Younger) too is pivotal, with the red hue indicative of the fire that takes hold after interval striking.
Hardly rainbows and sunshine, there is clearly a desired heaviness about Three Sisters.
This is a quality production, tightly directed by Greg Carroll, with much to commend it.
It is playing at Theatre Works until 22nd March, 2025.
* I saw the final preview production of the work.
