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DRAMA: Three Sisters, Royal Exchange, until Oct 11

Angela Kelly
10/ 9/2008

THE new season at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre makes an exciting start with a landmark Russian drama and an accomplished cast.

Three Sisters is a new production of Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece, in a translation by Michael Frayn and directed by Sarah Frankcom.

The play is revolutionary, heartbreaking and poignant, revolving around the lives and dreams of sisters Irina, Masha and Olga.

When their brother falls in love, it is not only the dream of a better life in Moscow that is put at risk, but the very roof above their heads. Beth Cooke, who plays Irina, made her professional debut in the RET’s recent production of The Children’s Hour.

Her latest role was also played by her aunt, Niamh Cusack, when the theatre last staged the play in 1985. Masha is Emma Cunniffe, previously seen at the RET in Twelfth Night and Major Barbara but a familiar face on TV via programmes including controversial series The Lakes.

Lucy Black plays Olga and was in the RET’s Mary Barton.

The cast also includes Joseph Kloska, Polly Findlay, Mark Bonnar, Christopher Colquhoun, Laurence Mitchell and Roger Morlidge.

Three Sisters runs until Saturday, October 11. For tickets ring 0161 833 9833.