Rediscover Anton Chekhov's acclaimed works in radical, creative new ways.

The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard: Chekhov's major plays have been perennially popular since the late 19th century. But, as a new wave of diverse, contemporary theatre makers engage with his legendary works, these classics are transformed and reimagined by bold new approaches. In doing so, Chekhov's original drama is not only explored but reanimated and interrogated in revolutionary ways.

From an ambitious one-person production, to a dance-poetry-play hybrid, to an intergalactic voyage, Chekhov's work has never been so expansive or his experimental spirit so realised. This collection draws together seven contrasting adaptations, ranging from the formally inventive, to those that relocate the originals in times and places that expose forces of privilege and power.

With an introduction by Frances Babbage which equips the reader with key methods of conceptualising dramatic adaptation, as well as providing a critical overview of the long history of Chekhovian rewritings for the stage, Adapting Chekhov in the 21st Century is a much-needed tool for adaptation and theatre studies students and Chekhov enthusiasts alike.

A anthology of seven bold adaptations of Chekhov's plays (including two never before published), exploring both the depth of the playwright's original work and also the diversity of approaches to adaption in theatre.

About the Author
Frances Babbage is Professor of Theatre and Performance at the University of Sheffield, UK. She has published widely on performance, adaptation and rewriting, with monographs including Adaptation in Contemporary Theatre (Methuen Drama, 2017) and Re-Visioning Myth: Modern and Contemporary Drama by Women (2011).


Book Information
ISBN 9781350501225
Author Frances Babbage
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint Methuen Drama
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC