About the show
Cate Blanchett makes a stunning Broadway debut in The Present, a contemporary adaptation of Chekhov’s unperformed play, Platonov. This Sydney Theatre Company production brings a host of Australian talent to the Ethel Barrymore Theatre to perform an intense and compelling dark comedy about passion, bitterness, regret and jealousy.
Anna Petrovna (Blanchet) is a strong but troubled widow, whose 40th birthday party in her lavish country house soon becomes a vodka-fuelled nightmare as passions and grievances bubble to the surface, resulting in frayed nerves and strained friendships. At the heart of the conflict is the roguishly charming womaniser, Mikael Platonov (Richard Roxburgh), with whom Blanchett’s Anna shares a passionate but combustible relationship.
The chemistry between long-time collaborators Blanchett (who has won two Oscars for her performances in The Aviator and Blue Jasmine) and Roxburgh (whose Sydney Theatre Company credits include Waiting for Godot and Cyrano de Bergerac) is the driving force of the play. Director John Crowley (who received a Tony nomination for The Pillowman) assertively directs this rollercoaster of tension, emotion and dark humour.
The Present is a bold and refreshing re-telling of one of Chekhov’s most challenging plays. The masterful balance of humour and intensity, paired with the opportunity to witness Cate Blanchett’s Broadway debut, is an experience not to be missed.
Age Recommendations: TBC
Anna Petrovna (Blanchet) is a strong but troubled widow, whose 40th birthday party in her lavish country house soon becomes a vodka-fuelled nightmare as passions and grievances bubble to the surface, resulting in frayed nerves and strained friendships. At the heart of the conflict is the roguishly charming womaniser, Mikael Platonov (Richard Roxburgh), with whom Blanchett’s Anna shares a passionate but combustible relationship.
The chemistry between long-time collaborators Blanchett (who has won two Oscars for her performances in The Aviator and Blue Jasmine) and Roxburgh (whose Sydney Theatre Company credits include Waiting for Godot and Cyrano de Bergerac) is the driving force of the play. Director John Crowley (who received a Tony nomination for The Pillowman) assertively directs this rollercoaster of tension, emotion and dark humour.
The Present is a bold and refreshing re-telling of one of Chekhov’s most challenging plays. The masterful balance of humour and intensity, paired with the opportunity to witness Cate Blanchett’s Broadway debut, is an experience not to be missed.
Recommended for
Cate Blanchett has many adoring fans for her super film roles, who will not want to miss her first appearance on the Broadway stage. The Present will appeal to anyone who enjoys dark humour and human characters, intense conflict and intelligent modernisations of older plays.Age Recommendations: TBC