The Royal Shakespeare Company's The Cherry Orchard review reveals a disappointing lack of sparkle despite a starry cast. Laura Wade's reworking of Anton Chekhov's final play brings together Helen Hunt, Bill Pullman, and Kenneth Branagh, but Tamara Harvey's production fails to deliver the emotional and dramatic impact expected from such talent.
Starry Cast but Missing Chemistry
Helen Hunt portrays the aristocratic matriarch Madame Ranyevskaya, while Bill Pullman plays her brother Gaev. Kenneth Branagh, fresh from his lead role in the RSC's The Tempest, takes on the role of Lopakhin, a shopkeeper's son who seizes control of the family estate. Despite this impressive lineup, the production feels soft-edged and lacks a magnetic center.
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The cast works well as an ensemble, but there is no standout performance to anchor the story. The tone is almost endearing, which undermines the play's themes of loss, love, and class conflict. You do not feel the story's charge or its stinging losses.
Accents and Adaptation Confusion
Wade's new version, based on a translation by Helen Rappaport, updates the language but adds confusion with inconsistent accents. The aristocratic siblings speak in American accents, while Lopakhin and servant Yasha (Julian Moore-Cook) are Northern Irish. The point of this choice remains unclear, and the production as a whole feels woolly in meaning.
Chekhov regarded The Cherry Orchard as a comedy with farcical elements, and Harvey brings out the farce in places. Ancient manservant Firs (Michael Elwyn) is a highlight with his doddering comedy, but this does not make up for the lack of emotional depth.
Comparison with Previous Productions
| Aspect | RSC 2025 Production | Donmar Warehouse 2023 Production |
|---|---|---|
| Director | Tamara Harvey | Benedict Andrews |
| Lopakhin Actor | Kenneth Branagh | Adeel Akhtar |
| Tone | Soft-edged, endearing | Sharp, angry |
| Class Rage | Amenable, lacking fury | Powerful, visceral |
| Overall Impact | Disappointing sparkle | Astonishing, gripping |
Branagh's Lopakhin is good-natured and sometimes joshing, lacking the sharp-pronged anger of Adeel Akhtar's performance in Benedict Andrews' astonishing version at the Donmar Warehouse two years ago. When Lopakhin's class rage finally emerges after the auctioning of the estate, it feels muted.
Key Takeaways
- Starry cast includes Helen Hunt, Bill Pullman, and Kenneth Branagh, but lacks chemistry.
- Inconsistent accents confuse rather than illuminate the story's themes.
- Emotional impact is missing, despite some farcical highlights from Michael Elwyn's Firs.
- Varya's storyline with Esther Smith offers some emotional dimensions but not enough.
- Comparison with the Donmar Warehouse version shows this production falls short.
FAQ
Who stars in the RSC's The Cherry Orchard?
The production stars Helen Hunt as Madame Ranyevskaya, Bill Pullman as Gaev, and Kenneth Branagh as Lopakhin, with supporting cast including Julian Moore-Cook and Michael Elwyn.
Why is the RSC's The Cherry Orchard disappointing?
Critics note a lack of emotional and dramatic impact, a soft-edged tone, and confusing accent choices that fail to illuminate the play's themes of class conflict and loss.
How does this production compare to the Donmar Warehouse version?
The Donmar Warehouse version, directed by Benedict Andrews with Adeel Akhtar as Lopakhin, was praised for its sharp anger and visceral class rage, while the RSC production is more good-natured and lacking in sparkle.
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