by Yanik Comeau (Comunik Média / ZoneCulture)
Revisiting modern classics can be hazardous at best but lately, two Montreal playwrights – one a veteran, world-renowned writer (Michel Tremblay), one a veteran, formidable actor (Harry Standjofski) – have done right by the great Anton Chekhov, the former at Théâtre du Nouveau Monde with his Cher Tchekhov in May 2022, the later at Centaur Theatre right now with his Sakura – After Chekhov. While Tremblay explored Tchekhov’s style and universe without writing a contemporary version of a specific play, Standjofski clearly delves into The Cherry Orchard with reverence, love and respect yet a clear twist of “this is 120 years later, folks”.
Although the premise is the same (a well-to-do family with a huge, beautiful estate that has been neglected and is now in peril because of bad financial decisions and unwavering frivolous expenses by its owners who were living more and more beyond their means), Standjofski’s Orchard is set along the St-Laurent River, right here in our own backyard. This totally works because since the first French-Canadian productions of Chekhov’s works, all theatre directors and actors – including the late Michel Dumont, Duceppe’s Artistic Director for over twenty years – have said that Chekhov’s Russian roots and universal family topics might be far from us geographically but are totally similar to our own northern, four-season climate.
Centaur Theatre Artistic Director Eda Holmes proudly directs the world premiere of this twisted family ensemble and assembles a talented cast of veterans and young actors, some who have graced the Centaur stage many times before, others who are threading these boards for the first time. Deena Aziz (who was amazing in last season’s Bard homage Thy Women’s Weeds) and Howard Rosenstein (whose memorable Kafka’s Ape a few years back was jaw-dropping) are so well cast as sister and brother Freya and Guy. Marcel Jeannin is hilarious as the overly enthusiastic Marc and Paul Van Dyck is just as funny as the excentric Firs. Stefanie Buxton and Ravyn R. Bekh have great chemistry as half-sisters Vania and Annie while Marc-Antoine Kelertas is troubling and intriguing all rolled into one as the ambiguous Peter Tee.
James Lavoie’s set is understated yet lavishly enhanced by Tim Rodriguez’s lights and Charlotte Baker’s rich video projections.
Harry Standjofski’s funny, quirky, sharp and at times moving piece is the perfect play to open Centaur’s “Coming Home” season as it is both light and “classic” but also in the here and now, so all generations can feel at home in this dysfunctional family.
Sakura (After Chekhov) by Harry Standofski Directed by Eda Holmes Assistant Director: Cara Rebecca Starring Deena Aziz, Ravyn R. Bekh, Stefanie Buxton, Marcel Jeannin, Marc-Antoine Kelertas, Howard Rosenstein, Paul Van Dyck Set and Costume Designer: James Lavoie Lighting Designer: Tim Rodriguez Assistant Lighting Designer: Aurora Torok Composer & Sound Designer: Torquil Campbell Video Designer: Charlotte Baker Stage Manager: Trevor Barrette Assistant Stage Manager: Kate Hagemeyer Apprentice Stage Manager: Abi Sanie A Centaur Theatre Company production From September 17th to October 6th, 2024 (duration: 130 minutes including a 15-minute intermission) Centaur Theatre, 453, rue Saint-François-Xavier, Vieux-Montréal Reservations: 514-288-3161 Information: https://centaurtheatre.com/shows/sakura/ Photos: Andrée Lanthier
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