Theatrefolk Featured Play - Commedia Chekhov

Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight. Dive into Commedia Chekhov! This lively adaptation by Lindsay Price introduces your students to Anton Chekhov through the vibrant, over-the-top world of Commedia dell’Arte.

Featuring The Proposal, The Anniversary, and The Bear, these short plays blend classic Commedia traits with themes of love, money, and hunger—perfect for classwork, competitions, and showcases!

Let's hear from the author!

1. Why did you write this play?

I love "what if" questions when I write plays. So, what if a realist playwright was combined with a highly physical stock character form? As a writing challenge, I wanted to explore both worlds and find out how they fit together. Where are they on the same page? Surprisingly, there is a lot of overlap. Can Chekhov be played through the lens of commedia? It’s been a great experience and I hope you feel the same!

2. Describe the theme in one or two sentences?

Commedia is all about love, money and hunger and all three themes come up in each of the plays in Commedia Chekhov to the extreme!

3. What's the most important visual for you in this play?

The physical extremes all the characters go to to get what they want. My favourite example in The Proposal when all three characters use the "good chair" to demonstrate status or thrust status on someone else.

4. If you could give one piece of advice for those producing the play, what would it be?

I encourage and strongly suggest you and your students read the stage directions. Normally, I’m a strong advocate of writers putting what they want presented on stage in the text. If it’s in the text then it’s in the character and the story. But rules are always meant to be broken and in this case, the stage directions will give your students some inspiration into how they can physicalize the characters within a commedia context.

For example, there are a number of lazzi in the script and they are entirely written in the stage directions.  The physical is the most important element of these characters and that won’t always come out in the text. Can your students and should your students find their own interpretation? Of course! But the stage directions are going to give you a good running start. 

5. Why is this play great for student performers?

If you study commedia dell'arte as part of your curriculum, this play would be an excellent opportunity to explore the character aspects of commedia and character physicalization with your students.

6. Who is your favourite character in the play?

Merchutkina from The Anniversary is not a commedia master (vecchi) type character (the ones who generally have power) but she is high status from beginning to end. She never gives up. She never lets someone who “seems” higher status have the upper hand. She would be SO much fun to play!

7. What is your favourite line in the play?

Merchutkina spends the play trying to get her husband's money and she tries everything and anything to do so. When she's called out for lying about the fact that she said she was an orphan she says: "I’m an emotional orphan. This is triggering!"