Chekhov’s Three Sisters is an interesting choice for the young actors of the Dalhousie Theatre Program, and not an altogether successful one. It is a stretch for the audience to believe a 20 year old is a 60 year old, a thin man is verging on obese, or that an obviously attractive suitor is supposedly ugly. The actors simply don’t have the needed life experience to portray Chekhov’s world-weary, unfortunate characters in a realistic way. The play is also awkwardly staged, with the audience seated in four groups around an x-shaped stage. From my vantage point, I looked at the actors’ backs for more than half the 1 hour and 40 minute play. Still, there are kernels of great acting to be seen–especially from Fallon Stewart as the bitter, philandering Masha. And as usual in a DalTheatre production, the costumes are impeccable.
This article appears in Oct 18-24, 2007.