CHEKHOV AT SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE

A NOVEL VENUE FOR CLASSICAL COMEDY THEATRE

The recently extended Smith's Alternative performance space will host its first classical theatre season in May, to honour the memory of the late Ralph Wilson on the 25th anniversary of his death.

For forty years Wilson had been a leading figure in innovative theatre in Canberra, with a record of some 200 or more theatrical productions to his credit and in 1988 he was awarded Order of the Medal of Australia and named 'Canberran of the Year' in recognition of his contribution to theatre and to education (he had taught English at several high schools in Canberra, including serving as Principal of Canberra High School). The Ralph Wilson Theatre at Gorman House is named in his honour.

In 1990 Phillip Mackenzie collaborated with  Ralph Wilson in presenting a unique adaptation of two of Russian playwright, Anton Chekhov's, comic sketches (Smoking is Bad for you and Swansong) in lunchtime performance.

On the 25th anniversary of Wilson's death, Mackenzie joins with fellow members of Wilson's circle, actor John Cuffe and director Liz Bradley, for a three-show twilight season of the original production in the recently enlarged performance space at Smiths Alternative theatre cafe in Civic.

The two sketches are frequently presented as a double bill but Mackenzie and Wilson added a twist in this version: here we see the aging repertorian, Svetlovidov, taking the role of the brow-beaten Nyutkin purportedly lecturing on why Smoking is Bad forYou; this is the old actor's final appearance – his Swansong – after 45 years on the stage. After the back-stage farewell party, Svetlovidov awakes to find himself alone in the dark theatre, but is soon joined by the theatre's resident prompter, Nikita, played by John Cuffe; together, they act out excerpts from Svetlovidov's imagined Shakespearian 'triumphs' – King Lear, Hamlet and Othello and, in typical Chekhovian style, poignantly reconcile themselves to the inevitability of old age.

SHOW TIMES: 5.30PM (running time 50 minutes) Wednesday 29 May, Thursday 30 May, and if required Friday 31 May

Enquiries: Phillip Mackenzie 0407 905 970