Nantong Art Theater puts on play to honor Chekhov

Photo taken from the play Hello! Chekhov. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Hello! Chekhov, a play created by the Nantong Art Theater, was performed at the Nengda Theater in the Nantong Economic and Technological Development Area from June 21 to 23.

This year marks the 120th anniversary of the death of Russian storyteller Anton Chekhov (1860-1904).

Employing nonlinear storytelling techniques, the play transports audiences back to the last four years of Chekhov's life, during which he created his most famous works including Uncle Vanya, The Three Sisters, and Sakhalin Island.

Photo taken from the play Hello! Chekhov. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Through dialogues between the hero and himself or others, the play explores Chekov's personal growth, life philosophy and thoughts.

Director Ni Chao from Guangzhou Dramatic Arts Centre said that to help the audience better experience Chekov's spiritual world, they use a black mirror and two deformable cube devices to shift the time and space. Text messages are also sent via multimedia to explain new roles and scenes, Ni added.

Photo taken from the play Hello! Chekhov. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

He explained that they expect the audience to gain a better understanding of Chekhov and hopefully be inspired to purchase one of his books.

It is the second play created by the Nantong Art Theater to honor Chekhov after The Cherry Orchard. Thanks to the two plays, the Nantong Art Theater has received invitations from the Chekhov Center in Sakhalin Oblast and Baltic House Theatre-Festival in Russia.