Review: TIER THREE SISTERS by Knuckledown at The Hope Theatre, 9 - 15 August 2021/Camden Fringe

‘a strikingly successful, strikingly engaging, re-imagining of the original Chekhov classic’ ★★★★

 

At the Hope Theatre, a troupe of three actors embody the entire cast of Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” and take side swipes at the Patriarchy. (All men are called Alan and are really not up to much. Also, we can none of us play the violin). It relocates the Russian masterpiece to the outskirts of Manchester, city of dreams and hopes and a vibrant clubbing culture. 

The sisters are Bryony Davies as Masha, Chloe Wade as Irina, and Chloe Metcalfe as Olga. The play was directed by Matt Strachan, devised by Molly Ward, Natalia Lewis, Chloe Metcalfe, and Matt Strachan, and it’s wonderful. Beautifully realised and individualised characters, an intriguing relocation making the yearning for Moscow (now Manchester) come alive, really interesting meta-theatrical ideas, and a post-covid-lockdown topicality. Also, an edgy humour and bite that Chekhov didn't land quite so well. It is a strikingly successful, strikingly engaging, re-imagining of the original.

Apart from the vox pop criticisms saying Chekhov’s ‘Three Sisters’ is boring. That’s obviously ridiculous. I’m not saying there can’t be dull productions, but the play itself is a thing of wonder, not least in its ability to withstand all sorts of re-writes and re-casting, and still be recognisably ‘Three Sisters’. A strength clearly revealed by this production, in fact. But I suspect they know that – a fondness for the original and a commitment to engaging with the three characters shines through the game-playing and the Manc attitude. This is an altogether splendid piece of work, with three cracking performances, a set-design by Ana Webb-Sanchez that brilliantly complements the acting, a 60-minute running time, and an awful lot of entertainment.

Photography: Danny Kaan

Tier Three Sisters

9th-15th August at 7.00 pm. 

At The Hope Theatre, Islington

Box Office: https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/events/tier-three-sisters/ 

Presented by Knuckledown Theatre

Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @weknuckledown

Reviewer: Chris Lilly read Drama at Hull University in the 70s, stage-managed a bit, spent 8 years as a community arts worker in Tower Hamlets, did the occasional tech jobs, then taught in East London and participated in shedloads of community theatre. Since retiring, he has indulged a passion for Theatre and is currently taking an MA in Theatre at the University of Surrey. chris.lilly.work@gmail.co