THREE SISTERS, THE (TV)
Summary
A Royal Shakespeare Company performance of Anton Chekhov's drama about the spiritual demise of an aristocratic Russian family. Act One takes place in the Prozorov home, in the spring of 1900. As the sisters Olga (Dale), Irina (Richard), and Masha (Bertish) await their guests for a lunch celebrating Irina's Saint's Day, they reminisce about the funeral a year ago of their father, who was a brigadier in the army. Irina, Baron Tusenbach (Rees), an army lieutenant, Soliony (Peck), a captain, and Chebutikin (Jones), an elderly army doctor who lives with the Prosorovs, discuss their desire to work. Bored with the whole affair, Masha prepares to leave when Chebutikin gives Irina a samovar. The battery commander, Lt. Col. Vershinin (Petherbridge), newly transferred to the village from Moscow, arrives to introduce himself and tells the sisters he knew their father. Olga announces that she and her sisters are moving to Moscow. Masha, attracted to Vershinin, even though they are both married, decides to stay and listens, mesmerized, as Vershinin, Tusenbach, and Chebutikin philosophize about the future of Russian society. The sisters persuade Vershinin to stay for lunch and call their shy, timid brother Andrei (Spall) out of his study to meet him. Masha's husband, Kulighin (Godfrey), master at the high school for boys, arrives to present Irina with a present; he upsets Masha when he tells her they're expected for dinner at his headmaster's home that evening. A jealous Soliony maliciously makes clucking noises while Tusenbach looks longingly at Irina. During lunch, Andrei's beloved, Natasha (Tracy), whom his sisters don't approve of, arrives late followed by Fedotik (Kempner) and Rode (Horn), both second lieutenants. Fedotik takes a group photograph. When everyone teases Natasha about being in love, she runs from the table, prompting Andrei to follow suit. He then declares his deep love and proposes marriage. As the lovers kiss, they're shocked to find everyone has been watching.
Act Two takes place two years later in the Prozorov home; it is winter and the village's carnival celebration is under way, with revelers coming to provide entertainment in each house. Before the guests arrive, Natasha, now married to Andrei, asks him to cancel the revelers' visit. Ferapont, an old family servant, is ushered into the room with a delivery. Out of loneliness, Andrei, now secretary of the city council, confides to Ferapont his dream to be a professor at the University of Moscow. Masha and Vershinin arrive together. While complaining about their respective marriages, Vershinin openly admits his love for Masha. Before they can kiss, they're interrupted by Irina returning from her work at the post office, escorted by Tusenbach. The four discuss Andrei's rising gambling debts and the Prosorovs' plans for moving to Moscow in June. Chebutikin joins the group and the evening passes with card-playing and a philosophical discussion about future societies. Tusenbach announces his resignation from the army and desire for hard work once he is a civilian. Soliony arrives and immediately offends Natasha with his cutting, argumentative manner. When Masha becomes enraged because Vershinin is called home to his family, her harsh language provokes a reprimand from Natasha, much to everyone's surprise. The mood changes as the group, anticipating the revelers, begins to dance and sing. Soliony leaves the room after a disagreement with Andrei, who then has the unpleasant task of announcing Natasha's cancellation of the revelers' visit. Masha angrily moves the party outdoors. Meanwhile Soliony surprises Irina with his declaration of love. When Irina snubs him, he threatens to kill any rival for her affection. Natasha, leaving for an evening sleigh ride with Andrei's superior, asks Irina to share a room with Olga to make room for her and Andrei's baby, Bobik. Kulighin arrives looking for Masha, but leaves when he can't find her. Olga, exhausted from staying late teaching at school, retires to her room. Left all alone, Irina cries for Moscow.
Act Three takes place in the summer a year later. As a fire rages through the neighborhood, Masha (Bertish), in search of a quiet spot away from the chaos, rests in the attic. Olga (Dale) and Anfisa (Hill), the family's 80-year-old servant and former nurse, join her to rummage through old clothing for the fire victims. Natasha (Tracy) enters to announce that Olga has been promoted to school headmistress. When Natasha demands that Anfisa be sent to the country because of her old age and seeming uselessness, Masha leaves, disgusted. Kulighin (Godfrey), looking for Masha, admits to Olga that he would have married her were it not for Masha. Natasha and Olga leave when an inebriated Chebutikin (Jones) comes in stricken with guilt over the loss of a patient due to his old age and inadequacies as a doctor. Tusenbach (Rees), Vershinin (Petherbridge), and Irina (Richard) arrive exhausted from helping with the fire just as Chebutikin smashes a clock to pieces and announces Natasha's affair with Andrei's superior. Masha returns to the attic and lovingly listens to Vershinin philosophize. Fedotik (Kempner) arrives, hysterically announcing the loss of his belongings in the fire. Meanwhile Irina stops Soliony (Peck) from entering the attic; before leaving he points out that Tusenbach is allowed to stay and he isn't. Tusenbach begs Irina to go away with him. Masha tries to tell Kulighin she's bored with him but stops short of doing so for fear of a confrontation. The sisters are finally alone in the attic; Masha watches Olga comfort Irina, who is terribly dissatisfied with life and fears they may never go to Moscow. Olga suggests that Irina marry Tusenbach. Masha confesses her love for Vershinin and leaves to meet him after Andrei arrives. He confronts his sisters concerning their coldness toward him, defends Natasha and admits he mortgaged the house. After Andrei leaves, Irina tells Olga she will marry Tusenbach and implores her to get the family off to Moscow.
Act Four takes place later the same year in autumn. Masha (Bertish) nervously awaits her imminent parting with Vershinin (Petherbridge), whose army unit has been transferred to another village. Irina (Richard), Tusenbach (Rees) and Masha's husband, Kulighin (Godfrey), bid farewell to Lt. Fedotik (Kempner) and Lt. Rode (Horn). Irina talks about her marriage to Tusenbach the following day, her new position as schoolteacher in another village, and resignation that fate has kept her from moving to Moscow. In the meantime, Andrei (Spall), asks the army doctor Chebutikin (Jones) about a confrontation the day before between Soliony (Peck) and Tusenbach. Chebutikin reveals that he is presiding over a duel that afternoon between the two men. Andrei confides to Chebutikin his contempt for Natasha. After advising Andrei to pack up and leave, Chebutikin follows Soliony to the duel site. When Tusenbach excuses himself from Irina to meet Soliony, Irina, unaware of the duel, admits to Tusenbach that she does not love him but promises to be a dutiful wife. Andrei, alone, philosophizes about the dreary uniformity of the people in the village and expresses his hopes for the future when suddenly Natasha (Tracy) appears, scolding him. After Vershinin says goodbye to Olga (Dale), a distraught Masha breaks down in his arms and becomes hysterical. As Kulighin comforts her, a gunshot rings out. Natasha informs Olga, Masha, and Irina of her plans to renovate the house once they are all gone. Chebutikin, returning from the duel, sadly announces Tusenbach's death by Soliony's gun. The sisters hold each other tight, vowing to renew their faith in work and to continue searching for why they live. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS Cable
- DATE: April 17, 1982 Saturday 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 3:25:19
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T89:0232
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Theater; Families
- SERIES RUN: CBS Cable - TV, 1982
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- John Frankau … Executive Producer
- Trevor Nunn … Producer, Director
- Anton Chekhov … Writer, Based on the play by
- Henry Ward … Music by
- Patrick Watson … Host
- The Royal Shakespeare Company … Cast
- Janet Dale … Cast, Olga
- Suzanne Bertish … Cast, Masha
- Emily Richard … Cast, Irina
- Edward Petherbridge … Cast, Vershinin
- Roger Rees … Cast, Baron Tusenbach
- Patrick Godfrey … Cast, Kulighin
- Timothy Spall … Cast, Andrei
- Susan Tracy … Cast, Natasha
- Griffith Jones … Cast, Chebutikin
- Bob Peck … Cast, Soliony
- Teddy Kempner … Cast, Fedotik
- Roderick Horn … Cast, Rode
- Rose Hill … Cast, Anfisa
- Clyde Pollitt … Cast, Ferapont
- Hilary Townley … Cast, The Maid
- Richard Springate … Cast, The Musician