We round up the reviews for Rory Mullarkey‘s adaptation of Chekhov’s play, which is the first time the play has been performed at the venue.
WhatsOnStage: **** “At times the production can feel overly reverential, playing too much to the head rather than the heart. And its propensity to look for laughs leaves you strangely aching for a little more pain. However, when it comes to proving the concept, it undoubtedly whets the appetite for more Chekhov by candlelight – and confirms Mullarkey as one of his leading contemporary interpreters.”
The Guardian: *** “Mullarkey’s script draws out moments of humour, particularly in offhand frustrations: the snapped apology after a declaration of secret love made without realising someone else is in the room; the curt call of “that’s enough” as a woman reels loudly from heartbreak. But the upfront nature of the speech also softens the impact of the pain.”
City Am: “There’s plenty to admire in this production: the lovely set, the live music played above the stage, the quality of acting throughout. The characters are forever lighting and extinguishing candles, which seems like a neat parallel for their listless existence, living out their days like Spotify playlists set to repeat, never growing, never learning.”
The Telegraph: ***** “Superb acting and direction make this a staging that perfectly captures the essence of Chekhov’s play while also proving supremely enjoyable.”
Time Out: **** “If it ultimately feels like a relatively minor production of the play I wonder if that’s down to the Jacobean theatre setting and the relative lack of pathos in Mullarkey’s darkly comic, lightly absurd adaptation. But it’s still a very good production – I don’t think Shakespeare need worry he’s going to get supplanted as top dog at his home the Globe, but the other great playwrights Terry has thrown into the mix during her time here make for some very interesting house guests.”
London Theatre.co.uk: **** “Best of all is Anna Watson’s exquisite candle design, from the sunny brightness of the opening scene at lunch on Irina’s name day, to the scenes in the house after dark filled with secrets and things left unsaid lingering in the shadows. Domestic tragedy is ideally suited to this space – it’s very different in tone, but perhaps a Victorian sensation drama might be on the cards in the future.”
The Standard: **** “It’s Michelle Terry’s Olga I was transfixed by. Terry is the Globe’s artistic director and an actress of great charisma and great selflessness. At significant moments Olga’s pain is brought into keen and riveting focus, but otherwise Terry relegates herself to the background, her back ramrod straight, her face strained, bustling about in aid of the main action.”
British Theatre Guide: “The cast is superlative, a fine ensemble playing it like the piece of music it is. Michelle Terry’s Olga breaks down the fourth wall in the opening act—are we the locals or is she recounting her family history to herself? She is warm, direct, natural, and can she hit the notes… Shannon Tarbet’s Masha is all emotion, volatile, her supressed talent needs an outlet. Ruby Thompson does not overplay the arc of Irina coming of age to the realities of life. Sister-in-law Natalya, the jarring note in the household—Natalie Klamar plays her with relish—seems to be the future.”
The Stage: **** “Profound, playful performances bring refreshing liveliness to Rory Mullarkey’s new translation of Chekhov’s bitter black comedy.”
Broadway World: **** “Though her stage time isn’t as prominent as others’, Natalie Klamar endures the gradual villainising of her character with an increasingly sharp attitude. We might meet her with understanding at the beginning, but our empathy suddenly runs out when she’s rude to the family’s old nurse (Ishia Bennison). They top a strong, cohesive cast that succeeds in handling the ample collection of themes, adding enough comedy to the drama so that it maintains its aplomb and doesn’t turn into a full-blown sit-com. It’s a pitch-perfect accomplishment.”
To book tickets visit: https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/three-sisters/