The Cherry Orchard (1971)

Intro

A play by Anton Chekhov, performed at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh (7-22 May 1971).

Cast

Antonia Pemberton ... Liubov Andreyevna Ranyevskaya, a landowner

Zoë Wanamaker ... Anya, her daughter

Penelope Wilton ... Varya, her adopted daughter

Edward Jewesbury ... Leonid Andreyich Gaev, her brother

Joseph Brady ... Yermolai Alyekseich Lopachin, a businessman

David Collings ... Pyotr Sergyeich Trofimov (Pyetya), a student

Richard Simpson ... Boris Borisich Simeonov-Pishchik, a landowner

Ann Way ... Charlotta Ivanovna, a governess

Paul Brooke ... Semyon Pantelyeich Yepixodov, a clerk

Frances Barlow ... Doonyasha, a maid

John Gill ... Firs, an old manservant

Paul Freeman ... Yasha, a young manservant

Bryden Murdoch ... Tramp / Post office clerk

James Gavigan ... Stationmaster

Francis Weston, Dudley Stuart-White, Andrew Abraham ... Guests / Servants

Crew

Director: Richard Eyre
Designer: John Gunter
Costume Designer: Lorraine McKee
Lighting Designer: Andre Tammes

Notes

This production of The Cherry Orchard, presented by the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, gave Zoë the opportunity to perform as Anya for the second time. She had originally played the role in 1970, as part of a production in Manchester that emphasised the dark aspects of the play. By contrast, reviewers found comic touches in the Royal Lyceum's Cherry Orchard.

Zoe worked with the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company again on Dick Whittington and The Hostage (both 1971). She also joined other company members on the British Council Tour of the Far East, performing in When Thou Art King and The Birthday Party (both 1972).

Zoe clearly enjoys working with The Cherry Orchard's director, Richard Eyre; following their productive period with the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, in 1975 she accepted his invitation to join the Nottingham Playhouse Company, after he became artistic director of its theatre. She speaks warmly of Eyre, describing him as 'Intelligent, funny, sensitive, encouraging and enthusiastic'. (See 'Zoe Wanamaker: Nottingham Playhouse Made Me' interview.)

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