Ivanov. Anton Chekhov

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      Avdotya Linda Broughton

      Yegorushka John Atterbury

      Anasim Ian Drysdale

      Natalia Emma Beattie

      Yacob Malcolm Ridley

      Nikander James Howard

      Gavrila Jonathan Battersby

      Lipa Giovanna Falcone

      Babakina Lucy Briers

      Lebedev Kevin R. McNally

      Sasha Andrea Riseborough

      Pyotr John Atterbury

      Director Michael Grandage

      Set and Costume Designer Christopher Oram

      Lighting Designer Paule Constable

      Composer and Sound Designer Adam Cork

      Characters

      Nikolay Ivanov,

      landowner and regional councillor

      Anna Petrovna, his wife

      Count Matvey Shabelsky, his maternal uncle

      Mikhail Borkin, his estate manager

      Yevgeny Lvov, a young doctor

      Pyotr, Ivanov’s servant

      At the Lebedevs

      Pavel Lebedev, a wealthy neighbour

      Zinaida, his wife

      Sasha, their daughter

      Marfa Babakina, a wealthy young widow

      Dmitry Kosykh, an excise officer

      Avdotya Nazarovna, an old woman

      Yegorushka, a dependent

      Gavrila, a servant

      First Guest

      Second Guest

      Third Guest

      Fourth Guest

      and Visitors, Wedding Guests, Servants

      IVANOV

      Notes

      Words in square brackets may be overlapped or elided.

      ‘Nicolas’ is pronounced as in French.

      Act One

      Outdoors at Ivanov’s estate: the house-front with an open window, a terrace, some garden furniture, a suggestion of the garden beyond and an avenue of trees. Evening is drawing in. From the window, the sound of a duet, piano and cello, practising.

      Ivanov sits at the table reading a book. Borkin, in high top-boots, with a rifle, appears from the garden. He is tipsy. Catching sight of Ivanov, he tiptoes up to him and, coming alongside him, points the gun at Ivanov’s face.

      Ivanov(jumping up) For God’s sake, Misha – what?! – you scared the –! I’m a bag of nerves as it is without you, without your stupid . . .

      Borkin(guffaws) Right, right, apologies, sorry.

      IvanovYou scared the life out of me and you think it’s funny . . .

      Borkin(sits down next to him) Won’t happen again – promise. (Takes off his cap.) Lord, it’s hot. Think of it, dear chap – I’ve covered sixteen versts in three hours, I’m knackered – heart going like the clappers, lend us your hand a minute . . .

      Ivanov(reading) I’m reading . . .

      BorkinNo, feel my heart –

      He takes Ivanov’s hand and puts it to his chest.

      Can you feel? Di-dum, di-dum, di-dum, dum-dim – see? Heart disease! I could drop dead any moment. Actually – would you be sorry if I died?

      IvanovI’m reading, ask me later.

      BorkinSeriously though, would you? If I died would you miss me, Nikolay?

      IvanovWill you please stop [bothering me]!

      BorkinJust say – would you mind if I –

      IvanovWhat I mind is you reeking of vodka.

      Borkin(laughs) Do I? I’m amazed. Well, not really. Nothing amazing about it. I ran into the magistrate in town, we knocked back a few or seven or eight. Actually, drinking’s not good for you. It’s bad for you, in fact – wouldn’t you agree? Eh? Bad for you?

      IvanovThis really is . . . Can’t you understand you’re driving me [mad]?

      BorkinRight, right . . . apologies, sorry again . . .!

      He gets up and moves off.

      Some people are extraordinary – you’re not even allowed to talk to them.

      He returns.

      Oh – almost forgot – eighty-two roubles, please.

      IvanovWhat eighty-two roubles?

      BorkinTomorrow’s wages for the workmen.

      IvanovI haven’t got it.

      BorkinOh, good. ‘I haven’t got it’! Perhaps you think the men can go without their wages?

      IvanovI don’t know what I think. I just haven’t got it. You’ll have to wait till the first of the month.

      BorkinWe’re not connecting here – the men aren’t coming for their wages on the first of the month, they’re coming tomorrow [morning].

      IvanovWell, what am I supposed to do about it? (Angrily.) And since when do you think you can interrupt me when I’m [reading]?

      BorkinLook, I’m only asking – do we give the men their wages or don’t we? Waste of breath. Gentleman farmers! Three thousand acres of scientific agriculture and not a bean to show for it. Like having a wine cellar and no corkscrew. Maybe I’ll just up and sell the troika tomorrow! I sold the oats on the stalk, see if I don’t sell the barley. If you think I’d think twice you’ve got the wrong man.

      Shabelsky is heard through the window.

      ShabelskyIt’s impossible to play with you! I’ve known stuffed carp with more ear for music.

      Anna(appearing at the open window) Who’s that – you, Misha? What are you stamping about for?

      BorkinYou’d be stamping about if СКАЧАТЬ