Three Sisters

Imagine that you are working on a contemporary production of Three Sisters. What elements of the play would resonate with a modern audience? What elements have aged poorly or might need to be adapted?

Many critics of Chekov’s work complain that his plays are boring or wordy, and they often miss the humor and subtlety of Chekhov’s writing. Find three moments in the play that are meant to be humorous and explain how they function. Additionally, find and analyze one moment that is both humorous and tragic.

Choose one character and follow their journey throughout the play. How do they change over time and why? Use quotes from the text as evidence to support your claims.

Research Stanislavski’s methods of actor training and describe the purpose and some of his practices. Keep in mind that his method does not consist of a singular, cohesive approach but is instead a collection of exercises and ideas. How do these methods function within this particular play? Choose three practices and explain how each approach might have worked for the actors in the original production of Three Sisters.

How does the play comment on issues of class? Research the state of Russia’s class hierarchies and struggles at the beginning of the 20th century and explain how those are reflected in the play.

Who do you perceive as being the play’s main protagonist? Why? What is their primary objective in the play, and who or what is the primary antagonist working against them?

Imagine that you are writing an adaptation of Three Sisters for a contemporary audience. Change the setting and aspects of the characters so that the play takes place either in modern times or in a different historical context. What setting would you choose and why? How would your concept affect other elements of the play, such as characters or style of dialogue?

Consider the character of Solyony. How does he interact with the other characters, and what is his broader function in the play? Trace his actions and dialogue and explain how his interactions foreshadow the duel and Tusenbach’s death.