Vishneviy Sad: Komediia v chetyrekh deystviiakh. [The Cherry Orchard: A comedy in four acts].

£4,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books · No longer available

first edition in book form of Chekhov's final masterpiece The Cherry Orchard, an enduring classic of Russian literature was performed at Chekhov's beloved Moscow Arts Theatre in January 1904 under the direction of Konstantin Stanislavski. The play was branded a drama by critics but despite its tragic ending Chekhov always believed that it was a comedy and there was in fact nothing dramatic about it all. The play is centered around the vast changes Russia was experiencing at the turn of the century and its socio-political themes divided spectators. Conservatives reproached the writer for his sympathy with the 'new generation' and liberals were unhappy with the outdated language the supposedly modern characters used. Despite the context in which the play was written, it is a fundamentally universal story of a faded world receding before modern realities and it remains a cornerstone of 20th century theatre around the world. First separate edition; 8vo (220 x 150 cm); original printed wrappers with art nouveau design, internally fresh, slight wear to covers with small loss to top of lower cover, spine glued, a good copy; 62pp, advertisement leaf at rear.

• Binding: Hardcover

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