Interview with Director Blaise Barham and Sarah Barham, playing Lyubov, about upcoming production of The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov translated by Stuart Young.
Tell us about the Cherry Orchard? It tells the story of the Ranevsky family who live on an old estate with a wonderful cherry orchard. Unable to curb their expensive lifestyle to pay the mortgage, it has to be auctioned off or cut down and subdivided for holiday houses. However, their family home and orchard hold so many magical memories.
Why is the play contentious? It was written in 1903 by playwright Anton Chekhov, considered one of the greatest writers of all time, as a comedy. However, the first production was famously directed by Konstantin Stanislaski as a tragedy in a naturalistic way.
Why do it now? I think it is as relevant today as it was in the past. In 2000, when we emigrated to Otago, the Kiwi quarter acre seemed so attainable. Since then, we have seen so much development. I see this family in the same situation. The economic decision is obviously to cut down their cherry orchard and subdivide, but is that really the right thing to do?
What is it really about? Well, every audience member will get something different from the play, of course, but we’ve set it in a modernish Otago, New Zealand and have focussed on memories and how we deal with loss, adapt to an ever-changing world, and struggle between how to live on, and yet not destroy, our beautiful planet.
How is this version different? This premieres a new New Zealand adaptation translated by local Dunedin theatre professor Stuart Young and abridged by Dunedinite Blaise Barham. It focusses on mixing the tragedy and comedy of the piece by introducing physical comedy routines. It also blends words, song, live music, physical theatre, and circus to further highlight the spectacle and comedy of the piece.
Why should people come and watch it? The story is very moving with a collection of live music of various genres played by Sam Miekle and sung by Clare Lewis. It is stunningly beautiful with lighting, audio visual projection onto multiple surfaces and aerial silk routines by Rochelle Brophy and Dylan Woods. A spectacular production with a stellar local professional cast of 15 performers. Supported by the Dunedin City Council Professional Fund.
Where, When and tickets? At the Mayfair Theatre, Dunedin, from 16-25 November. Tickets on: https://www.mayfairtheatre.co.nz/
Who are SBZ Productions? Sahara BreeZe (SBZ) Productions https://www.sbzproductions.com/ was founded as a touring theatre company in 2019. Based in Dunedin since 2021, it has produced multiple shows such as Two by Jim Cartwright, and Dracula the Bloody Truth by La Navette Bete. In 2022 and 2023, we produced new plays such as Wonderful by Richard Huber (Winner of a UNESCO Literature Award), and The John Show by John Goudge, Shotglass Shorts Play Writing Competition, and adaptations of others such as Out at Sea by Slawomir Mrozek (Winner of a NZ Touring Award), and The Bear by Anton Chekhov (nominated for multiple awards at NZ Fringe 2023).
