Three Different Cherry Orchards, Three Different Worlds: Chekhov at the BBC, 1962-81. Issue 3 (1st January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smart, Billy
• Other Names: Peacock Steven Editor.; Jacobs Jason Editor.
• Is Part Of: Critical studies in television. Volume 9:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 65
• Page End: 76
• Publication Date: 2014-01-01
• Subjects: The Cherry Orchard -- Anton Chekhov -- BBC -- Richard Eyre -- Trevor Griffiths -- television adaptation -- studio space; Television -- Periodicals; Television criticism -- Periodicals; 384.5505
• DOI: 10.7227/CST.9.3.7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1749-6020

Abstract

Abstract: Unlike the theatre, there is no established tradition of plays being revived (new productions made from existing scripts) on television. The only instance of this mode of production in Britain has been the regular adaptation of classic theatrical plays. The existence of three separate BBC versions of Chekhov's Cherry Orchards (1962, 1971, 1981) creates a rare opportunity to trace developing styles of direction and performance in studio television drama through three different interpretations of the same scene. Through close analysis of Cherry Orchards, I outline the aesthetic and technological development of television drama itself over twenty years.