Ivanov

Now, 100 years later, Ronald Harwood offers a version which strikes a chord with modern audiences, for the play offers many familiar Chekhovian characters and themes: a hero in need of salvation, an honest but self-righteous doctor, a heroine in a stale marriage, and a young woman offering love that is rejected - all against a background of obsession with money, property and family obligations. It is, perhaps, Chekhov's most underrated work

Ronald Harwood's adaptation was first presented at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford and subsequently at the Strand Theatre, London, directed by Elijah Moshinsky and starring Alan Bates, Nicky Henson and Felicity Kendall

"Ivanov, Chekhov's first successful play, given a rare and welcome outing [in] Ronald Harwood's vigorous translation..." ~ David Nathan, Jewish Chronicle

"...a reclamation of a difficult and neglected work" ~ Ian Herbert, London Theatre Record

"Here is Chekhov in a new guise ... This nipped and tucked version by Ronald Harwood is more theatrical and about twice as dynamic as the original" ~ Christopher Edwards, The Spectator