During the turmoil of the 1917 Russian Revolution, Chekhov’s sister placed many of her late brother’s manuscripts in a safety deposit box. In 1921, Soviet scholars opened the box and discovered a play. The title page was missing. The play they found has too many characters, too many themes, too much action. Generally dismissed as unstageable. Like life.

Chekhov before he was Chekhov.

Brisbane Festival’s artists in residence do injustice to a great playwright. Chekhov’s First Play is a wrecking ball riff on the play, Chekhov, the theatre, life, death and pretty much everything else.

And if it’s all too much, headphones are provided so that you can listen to the director’s live and cutting commentary.

Co-commissioned by Battersea Arts Centre and Irish Arts Center, New York. Co-production: Dublin Theatre Festival, Baltoscandal (Rakvere) and TnBA (Bordeaux). The project was originally co-produced by NXTSTP, with the support of the Culture Programme of the European Union. This show was funded by the Irish Arts Council and the tour is supported by Culture Ireland as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.