‘The Cherry Orchard’ to be staged this weekend

The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) will present two performances of Anton Chekhov’s classic play “The Cherry Orchard” at the Macau Cultural Centre’s Grand Amphitheatre tomorrow and Saturday.

The production stars French actress Isabelle Huppert and is directed by Portuguese director Tiago Rodrigues.

Both Huppert and Rodrigues attended a media briefing yesterday at the Macau Cultural Centre, where they shared their insights about the performance.

“The Cherry Orchard,” a tragicomedy conceived for the Avignon Festival and premiering in 2021, transforms into a tribute to the times through the unique language of theatre, complemented by elegant costume design, according to the bureau.

Performed in French, the story centers on Lyubov, portrayed by Huppert, who returns home as her family estate faces sale to settle debts.

This marks the group’s first performance in Macau.

During the briefing with the press on Wednesday, Huppert expressed her excitement about being in Macau and launching the tour, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and exchange between artists and audiences.

When asked about interpreting the complexities of love in the play, Huppert reflected on the emotional and instinctive nature of the characters’ relationships.

Rodrigues noted that while the original Russian setting has been relocated to France, Chekhov’s work remains universal and resonates with people from diverse backgrounds.